DALTON, Ga. -- Members of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority are reviewing a proposed 2010 budget that's beefed up by an extra $600,000 from Grow Greater Dalton.
Grow Greater Dalton, a public and private partnership to raise funds for economic development, was started "to really increase our investment as a community in economic development," said Chuck Dobbins, chairman of the Joint Development Authority. "(It's) a big year in that it's time to really ramp it up, and using the Grow Greater Dalton funds allows us ... to do so."
Authority members also are studying a business plan to begin implementing the strategy outlined by Grow Greater Dalton.
Elyse Cochran, director of economic development for the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authority, presented the draft budget and business plan at the authority's regular monthly meeting Tuesday morning. Board members will vote on both at their December meeting.
The 2010 budget is $970,000, compared to about $350,000 in the 2009 budget.
Chamber President and CEO Brian Anderson said that so far Grow Greater Dalton has a pledged commitment of about $4.1 million over time.
Ms. Cochran said that, in 2010, the authority and Grow Greater Dalton hope to accelerate job creation and retention and add advanced manufacturing, data centers and offices, as well as retail and entrepreneurial efforts, she said.
They'll also work on establishing an existing industry program, which would reach out to local businesses, helping them with developmental, financial and other issues, she said.
Ms. Cochran called an existing industry program "one of our biggest needs."
She said the authority plans to hire an existing industry coordinator in January and a retail and entrepreneur coordinator by mid-year.
Through the Archway Community program -- a partnership with the University System of Georgia to prioritize and address community needs -- Ms. Cochran said Grow Greater Dalton will work on creating a new vision for greater Dalton.
She also said they'll focus on marketing and will look at ways to measure success in economic development.
"We want to make sure our name is out there and people know we are in the economic development business," Ms. Cochran said.
PROPOSED 2010 ANNUAL BUDGET
* $187,250: City of Dalton (includes funds allocated for the Archway program)
* $157,250: Whitfield County
* $600,000: Grow Greater Dalton
* $25,500: Grant/bond administration
* $970,000: Total income
Source: Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority
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