Joint Development Authority Promotes Market Street Designs

In response to Dalton-Whitfield residents’ desire for an inviting interstate presence, an Archway issue work group chaired by Executive Committee alumnus David Gregg spent the last several months interfacing with local property owners and University System of Georgia resources to develop a plan to revitalize the area directly off of I-75's Exit 333. Over the summer, Samuel Kelleher, a graduate student in the UGA College of Environment and Design, put the group’s ideas to paper and developed a three phase design that ultimately renovates, revitalizes and connects the Market Street area, the old Kroger shopping center located behind the Walnut Avenue Chick-fil-A, and Dug Gap Road.

Samuel’s work was presented to the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Executive Committee in September. The group is unanimously supportive of the plan and authorized the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority to promote and seek public and private support for it.

In October, Joint Development Authority Director Elyse Cochran shared the Market Street plan with both the Dalton City Council and the Whitfield County Commission.  That presentation is described in more detail here.  

College of Environment & Design Students Begin Work on Lakeshore Park, Threadmill Lake, and Prater’s Mill

In the Communit-E3 visioning process, Dalton-Whitfield residents of all ages emphasized the importance of greenways, parks, and trails to their quality of life. In furtherance of that work, over the past two years 10 students from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design have developed concepts for the development of downtown Varnell; a community rain garden; recreation facilities; urban and rural farmers markets; the Crown Mill Village and Park; Market Street; the beautification of local interstate exits; stormwater management and streambank restoration; and Dalton State College trails. 

In September, graduate students Mario Cambardella and Rachel Johnson joined the ranks of landscape architecture students designing Dalton-Whitfield’s future. Mario and Rachel made their first trip to Dalton to meet with City-County Planner Kevin Herrit, Prater’s Mill Foundation Director Judy Alderman, and Dalton Utilities’ Vice President for Wastewater Engineering Mark Marlowe to discuss potential projects that will benefit the community. During this visit, Mario and Rachel visited Threadmill Lake, Lakeshore Park, and Prater’s Mill and discussed how their work might further community efforts at these locations. Mario and Rachel are currently working with Kevin, Judy, and Mark to assess the scope of the projects at these locations.

University of Georgia Archway Partnership Co-Sponsors Rebecca Ryan: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Young Professionals

On October 14, nationally acclaimed speaker, economist, and author Rebecca Ryan spoke to hundreds of Dalton-Whitfield citizens about the importance of attracting and retaining the next generation of workers. In her presentation, Ryan challenged both old and young generations to find ways to interact so that the baton of local leadership can be passed, not dropped. Following her keynote address, Ryan facilitated a breakout session of approximately 100 area young professionals. In this session, Ryan challenged young professionals to become involved and make transformations happen. In an article reporting the event, the Dalton Daily Citizen noted that Ryan’s visit

coincides with local leaders’ efforts to revitalize the community through the Archway Partnership, a program through the University of Georgia that helps individuals plan for the recreational, lifestyle and business opportunities they want their cities to offer.

As part of its ongoing efforts to assist Georgia communities in developing future leaders and encouraging community engagement, the University of Georgia Archway Partnership co-sponsored the event. More information about Ryan’s presentation to the Dalton-Whitfield Community can be found in the following news articles, editorials, and letters to the editor:

• http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/14/cool-community-will-be-magnet-city-told
• http://daltondailycitizen.com/opinion/x350484559/Tim-Rogers-Making-Dalton-desirable
• http://daltondailycitizen.com/opinion/x1372399483/Letter-Community-conversation-just-the-beginning/print.

Redevelopment Powers Law Critical Economic Development Issue on November 8 Ballot

At the October Archway Executive Committee meeting, Joint Development Authority Director Elyse Cochran shared with the group that the November 8 ballot will contain a question about whether our local governments should be authorized to exercise redevelopment powers under the 'Redevelopment Powers Law.'  Elyse explained to the committee that authority to exercise redevelopment powers is an economic development tool that our community is currently missing.  She explained that it will help the community attract new businesses, stop sales tax leakage, and create secondary jobs.

Elyse's powerpoint presentation about the Redevelopment Powers Law can be viewed here (look for "Redevelopment Powers Law" under the Whitfield County Resources tab).  More local information can also be found at http://www.redevelopmentpowers.com/.

UGA MBA Graduate Counsels Community on How to Attract Students to High Need Career Areas

Over the summer, University of Georgia Masters in Business Administration graduate Jeffrey Fletcher worked under the direction of the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Higher Education Issue Work Group to examine how the community can interest students in technical education and careers. As part of his research, Jeff interviewed many key stakeholders in the community. He drew from these interviews, his education, and his personal experience as a small business owner and classroom teacher to assist the community in addressing this issue.  On August 21, 2011, Jeff presented his work to a room full of community, industry, and education leaders.  Jeff's presentation is available in video format here.