Dalton-Whitfield Begins Formal Business Incubator Study with Georgia Tech

Over the past year, the Diverse, Forward-Thinking Economy Issue Work Group has discussed the possibility of developing a business incubator in Dalton-Whitfield.  In furtherance of these discussions, the group has toured the business incubator in Chattanooga and entertained guest speakers on the topic.  In December, the group invited representatives from Georgia Tech to make a proposal for conducting an incubator feasibility study.  During the presentation, Georgia Tech presented a three-phase proposal involving a community readiness study, business plan preparation for the incubator, and a feasibility study.

Following the Georgia Tech presentation, the members of the group voted to formally recommend to the Executive Committee that the community enter into a contract with Georgia Tech to conduct the community readiness study.  The Executive Committee discussed this recommendation at the December meeting and agreed to move forward with the community readiness study with funding from the Joint Development Authority and the University of Georgia Archway Partnership.

In January, the Joint Development Authority entered into a contract with Georgia Tech, and the groups are currently collaborating on the initial stages of the study.