Survey Results Show Dalton-Whitfield in Line with Southern Region in Desire to Support Existing Industries While Creating New Economic Strengths

On February 26, 2010, more than 30 community members participated in a conversation about how the Dalton-Whitfield community is responding to current economic challenges. This discussion was launched in response to a request by the Southern Growth Policies Board (SGPB), a non-partisan public policy think tank supported by the 13 Southern states – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Specifically, SGPB asked communities throughout the region to respond to the following three strategies for dealing with the current economic downturn: (1) wait it out; (2) build on existing businesses and strengths; and (3) create new strengths related to up-and-coming industries.

Based on post-forum survey results, participants unanimously agreed that Dalton-Whitfield should not wait out the current economic downturn. Instead, the majority of survey respondents concurred that Dalton-Whitfield should focus on growing existing businesses and strengths. Moreover, almost all survey respondents strongly agreed that Dalton-Whitfield should create new strengths related to up and coming industries.

Survey respondents believed that the following three actions are most important in terms of preparing for the future of the community:

• Revamping workforce training programs to prepare workers for jobs in up and coming industries such as green business and health care;
• Reducing regulations that hamper new business development; and
• Helping existing local businesses increase their markets by providing export development programs, e-commerce training, and other support services.

Other actions that many respondents agreed were important include:

• Building partnerships with other organizations and neighboring communities; and
• Providing entrepreneurial training and support to encourage new business formations.

Although SGPB has not yet released an official report on this topic, Ted Abernathy, Executive Director of SGPB, reports in his article titled Structural, Spatial, and Individual Challenges of Economic Recovery that over three quarters of SGPB survey participants agree that their communities must try new things in response to the current economic downturn. Abernathy’s article also seems to indicate that other communities, like Dalton-Whitfield, intend to bolster their existing industries as they build new strengths. As communities throughout the South navigate the tensions inherent in this “build and bolster” approach, community dialogue and appreciation for the factors impacting the economic well-being of all community participants will have increasing value.

If you would like more information on the SGPB forum that was held in Dalton-Whitfield, please contact me at mdlu@uga.edu. As always, feel free to comment on this issue below.

Young Professionals of Northwest Georgia Launch Facebook Page, Events

On April 14, motivated members of the Dalton-Whitfield 2010 Emerging Leaders Class met for lunch to discuss how the Dalton/Whitfield community can attract and retain young professionals. During their discussion, the group revisited a list created during their most recent Emerging Leaders session detailing things they like about Dalton, things they would like to see in Dalton’s future, and ways they can make their dreams a reality for the community.

Across the board, the group agreed that the community needs a neutral group for young professionals that promotes social networking and connects people with existing organizations and opportunities. The group agreed not to create a formal framework at this time. Instead, they decided to focus on hosting and publicizing a few fun social events over the summer. In September, the class and other interested young professionals will regroup and discuss how the organization might evolve.

LaRuthie Holder, an Emerging Leader and a Senior Project Engineer for Shaw Industries, spearheaded the group’s efforts by creating a Facebook page titled “Young Professionals of Northwest Georgia.” The group will use the Facebook page to showcase and advertise social activities and other events occurring in the community.

If you would like to be involved with this group or would like additional information about their efforts, please leave a note in the comment section of this blog, join the Young Professionals’ Facebook page, or email Melissa Lu at mdlu@uga.edu.

Call for Community Visioning Documents

Does your organization have a strategic plan or a visioning document that assesses community needs or plans for the community's future?  If so, the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership is interested in reviewing it and including it in the community-wide vision slated to roll out in Fall 2010.  Feel free to leave a web address to any relevant documents in the comment section of this blog entry.  Alternatively, you can email your document directly to Melissa Lu at mdlu@uga.edu.  

Thanks for your help!

Top 5 Priorities Selected for Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership

Last fall, nearly 300 Dalton-Whitfield community members assembled at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center to take part in a Listening Session hosted by the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership. At the Listening Session, participants discussed the Dalton-Whitfield community and the opportunities and challenges it currently faces. The comments from the Listening Session were recorded in the Dalton-Whitfield Listening Session Report.

Following the Listening Session, members of the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Executive Committee analyzed the report, consulted with community members about issues in the report, and discussed the best ways to address the significant community needs identified during the Listening Session. Based on their investigation and analysis, the Executive Committee identified the following five initial priorities for the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership:

1. Develop a Community Vision: Over the next several months, the Executive Committee will work with trained facilitators from the University System of Georgia to understand what community members want Dalton-Whitfield to look like in 10-15 years. After soliciting community feedback and analyzing existing visioning documents, the Executive Committee will create a document that highlights shared community goals and includes a detailed implementation plan. The Executive Committee will then incorporate this vision into its work plan and will work with other entities and organizations to make the vision a reality.
2. Enhance Internal and External Public Awareness of Dalton-Whitfield: The Listening Session Report indicates that many misperceptions negatively impact citizens’ and visitors’ experiences in the Dalton-Whitfield community. Accordingly, the second priority articulated by the Archway Executive Committee is the need for a public awareness campaign that enables the community to capitalize on its strengths and improve upon its weaknesses. University of Georgia students and faculty are currently creating a repository of relevant and current data about Dalton-Whitfield. This information will be used to help the community better understand itself so it can move forward cohesively.
3. Support and Enhance Education: A community cannot develop if it ignores education. The Archway Executive Committee is committed to supporting and enhancing education at all levels: pre-K through adult education. Check back soon for more information on this priority and ways to get involved.
4. Improve Quality of Life/Place: The Archway Executive Committee is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Dalton-Whitfield. Check back soon for more details on this priority.
5. Plan for Growth: Planning for growth can mean many things, including attracting and retaining young professionals, recommending and supporting infrastructure improvements, and ensuring that citizens have basic resources. The goal of this priority is to ensure that Dalton-Whitfield is ready for future opportunities. Check back soon for more details.

As you review the 5 priorities listed above, the Executive Committee hopes that it is clear that they are a work -in -progress.  The Executive Committee is currently working to further define and describe the community priority areas, but it needs your input.  In the future, this blog will be a place where you can weigh in on community issues.  Please use it to post your comments and share your thoughts.  Of course, you are always welcome to send  comments to any of the Executive Committee members or to your local Archway Professional.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!