Dalton Visioning Project Document Review Spring, Name of Report, Study or Document: Whitfield County/City of Dalton Comprehensive Plan

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1 ***The following are internal notes/summaries compiled during the document review phase for some of the major reports, plans and visioning processes that have occurred in Dalton/Whitfield County over the past few years. We offer them for your review to highlight the number of processes and to provide a brief summary of each. They were intended for internal use and are only a summary of our notes and work, but they may be helpful for the Executive Committee to review as part of the visioning and implementation process. *** Dalton Visioning Project Name of Report, Study or Document: Whitfield County/City of Dalton Comprehensive Plan Years Covered/Published: Author(s): MACTEC with significant community participation Three-Sentence Summary: Effective land use, infrastructure and government service plan. Doesn t address the more social or people issues that the data identifies. For instance, plan identifies that minority population will be approaching 50% countywide by 2018, but the plan included no steps to address issues that may arise. Public Input/Engagement Involved: Yes and quite significant. But for a plan that identifies significant increase in Hispanic and other minority populations, the public engagement did not reach out to these groups. Meeting advertisements were all in English and in English language papers. 1. Economic development preparing infrastructure and ordinances, supporting community efforts. 2. Preserving history and rural character 3. Addressing housing current issues and future expectations 4. County minority population will be approaching 50% by Issues and Opportunities identifies many issues that do not follow through into the implementation strategies and work program 6. Want planned development 7. Walkable, and green 1

2 8. Increase opportunities for children 9. Capitalize on history (tourism) 10. Wants innovative businesses Status of actions under this report: Only in place since late County and City should by updating Short Term Work Program so to identify progress. 2

3 Name of Report, Study or Document: Target Industry Plan for Whitfield County Years Covered/Published: Author(s): Angelou Economics Three Sentence Summary: This report outlines target industries for future growth and a roadmap that was intended to enable community leadership to build on the area s assets and find solutions to the challenges it faces. It shows where and how Dalton should start to diversify its economy based on cluster analysis and other economic models and highlights seven target industries. It intends that the lead economic development agencies will be the Development Authority and the Chamber, with help from other community organizations. Public Input/Engagement Involved: A public input and visioning process was used. During two site visits, Angelou Economics conducted numerous one-on-one interviews, community fieldwork, and reviews of past studies. Angelou Economics met with individuals representing the following groups: local economic development officials, local elected officials and staff, educational leaders, major employers, area land developers, and other interested parties. The ideas within could not have been developed without input from areas residents, individuals and regional leaders. 1. Dalton will focus on diversifying the community s economic base and developing an economic development strategy that provides a long-term vision for high-impact, high-wage business growth and ensures exceptional employment opportunities for the region s residents. (Report cites that Dalton is at a crossroads.) 2. Dalton will diversity its economy by focusing on the recommended target industries that are consistent with community goals: Distribution and Warehousing focus on high value logistical coordination and track and trace; retail distribution due to proximity to Atlanta. Business services advanced tech or customer service call centers. Advanced manufacturing (once Dalton has the labor force to support it; promote high-skill, research-based employment among floor covering companies in the area; also, focus on conservation technology Although 3

4 Shaw Industries is a fully integrated company, it was forced to go outside Whitfield County for its needs in the realm of sustainability.) Information technology (once Dalton has the labor force to support it or it lures young professionals from Atl. by focusing on cost of living advantages; focus also on new data centers, where low utilities are important). 3. Is lack of adequate sites still an issue? What is still true after the past 2 years? 4. Develop Dalton State into a premier 4 year university that serves as an entryway into all the region s technical and higher educational opportunities. 5. Whitfield County must aggressively promote the development of lifestyle amenities, especially in areas such as entertainment and shopping. Need more distinctive, high-end retail outlets. LONG TERM TARGETS Advanced Manufacturing SHORT TERM TARGETS Information Technology Business Services - Back Office Logistics & Distribution SITE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL OFFICE COMMERCIAL EDUCATION DALTON STATE COLLLEGE K-12 QUALITY OF LIFE RETAIL HOUSING TOURISM ASSET DEVELOPMENT 4

5 Name of Report, Study or Document: Whitfield County Situational Analysis and Strategic Implications Years Covered/Published: April 2007 Author(s): Angelou Economics Three-Sentence Summary: This report describes the Community Audit, SWOT, and strategic implications analysis, which was the first phase in the creation of an Economic Development Plan for Whitfield County. The document detailed the region s economic development efforts in , assessed the economic climate, and identified key issues that hinder the community s ability to fully capture its economic development potential. Public Input/Engagement Involved: During two site visits, Angelou Economics conducted numerous one-on-one interviews, community fieldwork, and reviews of past studies. Angelou Economics met with individuals representing the following groups: local economic development officials, local elected officials and staff, educational leaders, major employers, area land developers, and other interested parties. 1. Dalton/Whitfield County will have a diversified economy that supports and honors the textile industry while building on key growth areas (i.e. Hamilton Healthcare is largest, private non-textile industry in the County with over 1,000 jobs; chemicals and plastics and wholesaling also have location quotients over 10% of US average; manufacturing in 2007 was over 46% of jobs national average was 13%; one in 10 textile production jobs in US is in Whitfield County). 2. The average wage paid to Whitfield County workers will equal or exceed that of the state of Georgia. (Even with the textile jobs, average wages were 15% lower than the state average). 3. Dalton will develop an entrepreneurial culture to encourage and grow locally owned small businesses, using opportunities such as a business-mentoring program. (US and GA averages for nonfarm sole proprietorships 17% and 18% respectively; Dalton at about 9%). 4. Dalton/Whitfield County will substantially increase the quality of its workforce by achieving an 85% graduation rate by 2020 and a 90% graduation rate by

6 (In 2006, 33% of Whitfield County residents did not have a high school diploma, compared to 14% US average. Only 13.5% had a bachelor s degree or higher, compared with 28% US average less than half the US average. Build on improvements - The number of residents in Whitfield County with a bachelor s degree has increased by more than 36% since 1990.) 5. Dalton/Whitfield County will be known as a premier location to raise a family. Dalton will build on its higher than average percentage of young people to become known as an area that values and supports children and their development. (Currently over 1 in 4 Whitfield County residents are 14 or younger, compared to the national average of 1 in 5.) 6. Dalton will become a destination for young professionals by increasing entertainment, art and outdoor recreational opportunities. (Despite the relative youth of Whitfield County s population, the proportion of residents between the ages of 25 and 44 is slightly smaller than the national average. As many companies consider the 25-to-44-age population to be their primary workforce, this population is increasingly important in economic development strategies. Like Chattanooga, Dalton is losing this age group to the Atlanta metro area.) 7. Dalton will be known as an inclusive community. (Whites and Blacks have declined; Hispanics and others have sharply increased would have been population losses but for these groups.) 8. Dalton State College is a highly preferred choice for local residents and regional students with expanded offerings and workforce collaboration. 9. Dalton Utilities/Optilink (Broadband) (Optilink identified as an opportunity needs more marketing.) 10. Need a new regional model of economic development. 6

7 Name of Report, Study or Document: Target Tomorrow Years Covered/Published: Done in ; covering through 2015 Author(s): Henry Luke, planning consultant from Jacksonville, FL Three Sentence Summary: Target Tomorrow is a roughly 20 year vision for Dalton- Whitfield. It identifies six key visions along with benchmarks and strategies for achieving the vision. It notes that implementation oversight will be provided by the Target Tomorrow Steering Committee and will be administered by the Chamber of Commerce. Public Input/Engagement Involved: 23-member steering committee; 144-member vision task force; 128 interviews (conducted by Luke); stakeholder summit (approx. 200 in attendance); Town Hall meeting for presentation of vision (255 in attendance); draft document published in the Daily Citizen-News ( ) 1) Education ensure comprehensive, globally competitive education for all learners 2) Quality of Life have a community which encourages family values, community pride, cultural equity, and opportunities and quality of life for all 3) Infrastructure have modern county-wide infrastructure consistent with our land use plan that promotes environmentally sensitive development 4) Economic Development be an economic and financial center that acts interdependently and competes globally while focusing on our community for long-term growth 5) Government have a consolidated government led by qualified elected officials who are unified in purpose and use professional planning and management techniques to make Target Tomorrow Vision and Strategies become a reality in the most cost efficient way 6) Private Sector Leadership have community-wide leadership that ensures effective implementation of the Target Tomorrow Vision and Strategies Status of actions under this report: 7

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9 Name of Report, Study or Document: Visions of Hope Years Covered/Published: 2008 Author(s): Coalition of providers including parents, local business leaders, churches, schools, social services organizations, physicians, elected officials, teens and others Three Sentence Summary: Visions of Hope seeks to develop a community that grows assets in youth through collaborative planning, community action, and policy advocacy. Public Input/Engagement Involved: Surveyed 2,186 youth in Whitfield and Murray counties, primarily between the ages of 10-14, to determine the types of activities they were involved in after school and during the summer months. - Whitfield and Murray counties will have healthy, self-sufficient youth ready to transition into adulthood. - Assess the needs of the youth in a community and develop a coordinated response. Status of actions under this report: 1) Raised over $3,000 in 2008 to sponsor kids so they can attend summer activities; In 2009, raised over $6,500 to sponsor at least 40 youth for summer activities; 2) Over 100 individuals mobilized to focus on all of our children; 3) Trained partner agencies in the 40 Developmental Assets; 4) Attended trainings in Atlanta and Washington, DC; 5) Developed a website; and 6) Created five working groups with one focus and one mission (groups are community education, resource development, parental involvement and education, advocacy, and wellness and prevention) 9

10 Name of Report, Study or Document: Angelou to Action Southern Growth Presentation Years Covered/Published: 2010 Author(s): Joint Development Authority Three Sentence Summary: This presentation is based on the 2007 Angelou study and provides a very brief summary of that report. It includes barriers and assets, a to do list to attract targets, and a list of goals for Public Input/Engagement Involved: The report notes a March 2007 public input and visioning session, but no further description of engagement is provided. 1) Adequate Funding to go after Targets 2) Global Marketing/New Business Recruitment Affordable Land 3) Workforce Development - Skilled Labor 4) Education 5) Quality of Life - More Executives Live AND Work Here; Young Professionals 6) Freeport 7) Research & Development 8) Retail Status of actions under this report: Goals for 2010: 1) New primary jobs (300) 2) $50 million new investment (overall) 3) Update countywide incentives policy (industrial and retail) incentives are closers, not part of marketing 4) Product Development County greenfield development City redevelopment of existing buildings and pursue partnerships with private owners 5) Establish existing industry program (hire coordinator) 6) With 12.5 UE rate, focus on primary job creators identified in Target Industry Study: Plastics, automotive, data centers and chemical advanced manufacturing 7) Launch Retail Recruitment Initiative Hire Coordinator Downtown recruitment (partnering with City of Dalton, DDA, etc.) Big Boxes Retailers (QOL Enhancers) 8) Explore possibility of creating Greater Dalton Center of Excellence 10

11 Name of Report, Study or Document: Grow Greater Dalton Years Covered/Published: (launched in 2008) Author(s): Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authority; Grow Greater Dalton Campaign Cabinet Three Sentence Summary: Grow Greater Dalton will bring together the locations and infrastructure needed by new or expanding businesses, and then market Greater Dalton to targeted site selection consultants and corporate executives. The campaign will launch a world class economic development marketing and recruitment program, outstanding support for existing business retention and expansion, a Whitfield County Commerce Park and redevelopment of Dalton commerce sites, and a fierce focus on a high rate of return to investors. (from message from the Co-Chairs) Public Input/Engagement Involved: None specifically mentioned, although this was funding and implementation; they have a campaign cabinet and divisions that include 18 business and community leaders. 1) Accelerate job creation and economic growth bringing thousands of new jobs to the community 2) Job growth sites 3) Create a vision of a new greater Dalton and make that vision real through the Archway Partnership 4) Marketing 5) Accountability/Campaign Overhead 11

12 Name of Report, Study or Document: 2010 DDDA Work Plan and Events Years Covered/Published: 2010 Author(s): DDDA Board Three Sentence Summary: This document contains a list of DDDA projects that will be the focus for It also includes a listing of events scheduled to take place in downtown Dalton over the next year. The projects, listed in order of importance and including committee chairs, also include three or four specific items under each heading. Public Input/Engagement Involved: None indicated. 1) New business recruitment develop and implement plan to recruit businesses downtown; address problem buildings; downtown hotel 2) Promotions events; merchant promotions; keep stores open for night time events; marketing 3) Dalton State College increase college student interaction downtown; facilitate locating a DSC graphic arts program downtown 4) Parking develop a parking program downtown to alleviate employees and business owners taking up customer parking 5) Organization budget; internal operations; Main Street Program 6) Design façade grants; brick program; public art/education Status of actions under this report: Indicates that the project(s) with Dalton State College are in progress 12

13 Name of Report, Study or Document: United Way of Northwest Georgia Community Outlook Years Covered/Published: 6-month process conducted in 2004 Author(s): United Way of Northwest Georgia Community Outlook Three-Sentence Summary: The information is a list of community issues. Public Input/Engagement Involved: Focus groups of Dalton/Whitfield/Murray County citizens. 15 focus groups were conducted. The following groups participated: 1. Banking and Finance 2. Executive Management - Carpet 3. Executive Management - Other 4. Health Care Providers 5. Key Female Leaders 6. Latino Community 7. Local and small business owners and management 8. Non-Latino minorities 9. Murray County 10. New Leadership 11. Non-Profit Organizations 12. Professionals (including architects, accountants, clergy, dentists, lawyers, physicians) 13. Public officials/government 14. Regional Media Management 15. Services Receipts/Clients Main issues: Education Future Growth Latinos not being assimilating into the community Status of actions under this report: There was no information in the document about how this information is being used. 13

14 Name of Report, Study or Document: Dalton State College Strategic Plan Years Covered/Published: October 2009 Author(s): Dalton State College Three Sentence Summary: This document lays out the planning, objectives, action plans, and key performance indicators for their 5 over-arching goals. Their 5 over-arching goals are as follows: 1. The College will promote multiculturalism and diversity in all aspects of its operation. 2. The College will create a rich and secure campus environment that provides varied student life opportunities. 3. The College will strengthen its ties with the community by promoting the arts and humanities, collaborating with area schools, fostering economic development, providing leadership and service, and offering recreational and entertainment opportunities for the general public. 4. The College will improve student learning and academic support to ensure student success, to improve retention, and to improve graduation rates. 5. The College will renew excellence in undergraduate education by improving teaching quality and by focusing on student achievement of essential learning outcomes for the 21st century. Public Input/Engagement Involved: -The Strategic Planning Committee itself reflects a broad spectrum of the campus community. It includes representatives from the faculty, the staff, the student body, the DSC Foundation, the department chairs and deans, the endowed chairs, and the Administrative Council -In keeping with the College s mission, the committee sought to make the development of the strategic goals and objectives as participatory and as inclusive as possible. The committee sought contributions from the student body and from all faculty and staff members. Requests for suggestions were sent to the campus community via in mid-november, in early December, and in mid-january. Over 60 suggestions were received, and the committee used these suggestions to determine the five overarching goals and objectives that were ultimately selected. The campus community was invited to an Open Forum to discuss the plan, and this event resulted in further modifications and in the inclusion of additional objectives. The plan was presented to the president, and after additional modifications, it was presented to the deans, vice presidents, and key stake-holders, who were involved in fine-tuning and revising the strategic initiatives and in establishing priorities, action plans, key performance indicators, and timetables. Life-Long Learning Theater Festival Model for Diversity 14

15 Name of Report, Study or Document: Greater Dalton Georgia In Campaign Action Plan Years Covered/Published: November 6, 2007-December, 2008 Author(s): Creaxion Three-Sentence Summary: Creaxion developed five key brand attributes/characteristics it believes accurately describe Greater Dalton: International Innovative Inspired Inviting Invested From these, Creaxion developed a tagline for Dalton-Whitfield County Where Inspiration Lives The five brand attributes and new tagline are the IN campaign There are 3 steps in this process. First Things First: Building Consensus, Gaining Buy-in The Next Step: Join In Meeting/Rally Second Step: Are You In? Public Input/Engagement Involved: 30 key leaders were part of a total of six input and roll-out meetings Develop a comprehensive, community-oriented PR campaign and implement it. This would have a timeline, benchmarks and an end goal. Status of actions under this report: The campaign did begin, but stalled shortly after the kickoff. 15

16 Name of Report, Study or Document: Dalton-Whitfield County Listening Session Report Years Covered/Published: August 31, 2009 Author(s): Fanning Institute & Archway Partnership Three-Sentence Summary: This document collects and summarizes the notes from the Dalton-Whitfield County Listening Session. Four specific questions were addressed by the groups and individuals: 1. What are the trends, forces, and factors that will impact the community, your organization, agency, etc. (increasing, decreasing, or cyclical)? 2. Based on the trends, etc. that you identified, what are the specific things that need to be done in order to adapt to the change? 3. What are the opportunities, assets, etc. that we need to be aware of that would assist our work in Dalton-Whitfield County? 4. Do you have any additional thoughts for the Archway Partnership? Public Input/Engagement Involved: Almost 300 Dalton and Whitfield County community leaders and interested residents took part in a tw- hour town hall meeting. 1. Build a hotel downtown. This could help foster tourism and encourage nightlife in the city. 2. Improve opportunities for education. Opportunities include: partnering with Dalton State College, encouraging utilization of the Work Ready program, expanding and/or transforming the Career Academy so that it can meet more high tech demands, encouraging early readiness programs for children. 3. Diversify your market. Encourage a vibrant economy that is not over reliant on one industry. This helps to insulate the economy while encouraging residents to shop within Dalton 4. Market Dalton. Utilize various outlets to advertise and publicize what makes Dalton attractive to tourists and residents 5. Mixed Use Community. This aligns with diversifying the market. Encourage mixeduse areas. People like convenience. Allow for zoning and practices that residents to live, work, shop, and play in close proximity. 6. Community Festivals. These festivals allow for citizens to develop a sense of place and identity with their community. This also allows for networking among the citizens. 16

17 7. Invest in infrastructure. Cities need carefully developed and maintained infrastructure systems in order to grow. Public Transportation, sewer, sidewalks, and WIFI availability are of particular note. 8. Community aesthetics. Build an art center, museum, and/or parks. This helps to encourage community identity and demonstrates a commitment to education. 9. Implementation steps. The community would like to see action steps to implement these ideas. 17

18 Name of Report, Study or Document: 2008 Family Connections Community Survey Years Covered/Published: December 2007 and January 2008 Author(s): Family Connections Three Sentence Summary: Family Connections developed a community survey and received 165 responses (do not know % or total # distributed). The main question was: What major issues do you see facing families and children in our community in the next 3 years? 14 main issues were defined: 1) economy; 2) substance abuse; 3) education; 4) gangs, crime, violence; 5) health; 6) resources; 7) housing; 8) community diversity; 9) family stability/effectiveness; 10) pregnancy; 11) children/youth; 12) transportation; 13) miscellaneous; 14) quality of life Public Input/Engagement Involved: A community survey of 165 responses. The document is a list of issues that are perceived to be the problems within the community. The top 3 issues are: 1. Economy- needing more jobs in the area due to layoffs. 2. Substance Abuse- from adults to teens 3. Education- many issues from pre-k to drop out prevention to workforce development Status of actions under this report: There is no information about how this information is being used 18