Carpet
manufacturing is indeed big business in Whitfield County. Employing more than 30,000 workers throughout the Whitfield County area, the socio-economic impact of the carpet industry sends a wave through Northwest Georgia that has people taking note.Dalton, the Carpet Capital of the World, is truly a mica for the technology that keeps the carpet industry moving ahead. Carpet manufactured in Dalton winds up in homes, office buildings and even ball fields all around the world. The variety of carpets manufactured here is endless - tufted, commercial, patterned, oriental rugs, bath mats, etc. With 150+ plants and approximately 100 outlet stores, Dalton has any floor covering your heart desires.
Whitfield County is proud of the contribution the carpet industry has made to the community. However, carpet is not the only thriving business in Dalton. Plastics, chemicals, bakery products, denim jeans, and fiber products are also produced locally.
Real estate for commercial business is plentiful along the handful of industrial parks for future economic growth.
The economic impact of major industries in Dalton brings subtle benefits to the area. Dalton has become a cultural melting pot because of the migration and influx of experts and entrepreneurs in the area's industries. The success of the carpet industry and its people have helped Dalton attain a true quality of life that is second to none.
Dalton can also claim an enviable position in the very profitable tourism industry in the state of Georgia. With the exception of the Atlanta hub, our Northwest Mountain area receives the most tourism dollars in the state of Georgia.
Whitfield County now gains substantially more tourism dollars with the addition of the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center. The Center, a full service convention complex, includes indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces, a lecture hall/theater, meeting rooms, parking, and is situated on a mountain top overlooking the city of Dalton.
Whitfield County businesses are quite aware of the impact that each tourism dollar has on the entire community. Discount shopping areas have been added - lodging facilities are upgrading and are actively marketing across the country - carpet outlets are benefiting greatly from the transient traveler who uses the busy I-75 north/south corridor.
Our lovely, ever-changing mountain scenery, and diverse facilities for recreation bring in visitors on a year-round basis. Tourism dollars will certainly increase year after year as marketing is increased, and as visitors return home with positive reports about their visits to Whitfield County.
AREA TRANSPORTATION
The industrial areas are located near the main transportation veins, such as I-75, US Highway 76, and US Highway 41 and the major railways. The transportation lines, coupled with the ample building space and a booming industrial market, make Whitfield County the land of plenty for the opportunist. Located in Northwest Georgia, Dalton is split by two major links; US Highway 41, which connects Atlanta and Chattanooga, and Interstate 75, which runs from Miami through Atlanta, Dalton, Chattanooga, and Cincinnati to Sault St. Marie.
Dalton is just thirty miles south of Chattanooga and 88 miles north of Atlanta. The superior transportation facilities rival most big cities - in fact which has impressed prospective industries. All of the transport services that any business might require for a plant site are easily accessible from Dalton and Whitfield County.
Along with a network of well maintained state highways and local roads, a by-pass system of the major though fares and arteries is currently under construction. In fact, many sections are already complete.
Dalton is also served by two major railways. The Norfolk and Southern and also CSX railroads handle more than 2,000 piggyback cars every month. The county is serviced by 72 motor freight carriers with 25local terminals.
Corporate executives and amateur pilots frequent Jolly Field, a local municipal airport that is continuously expanding its services as more corporate planes are berthed there each year. Chattanooga's Lovell Field is just thirty minutes from Dalton and provides major carrier and commuter line service, while Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport is just over an hour's drive away.
Besides school buses and family wagons getting people where they want to be, taxi service as well as the Whitfield Transportation Service (for the elderly, handicapped and others) are other means of getting around town.
LABOR FORCE
Dalton's labor force was characterized by the late industrialist Tom Jones, "A lot of church going people who believe in giving a day's work for a day's pay." About 54% of the nearly 50,000 strong labor force is engaged in manufacturing. Much of the manufacturing success of the Dalton area is attributed to the strong employee-employer relationship that has always been prevalent here.
Programs of continuing education, adult education and vocational education at Dalton College provide additional skills development for Dalton's diversified labor force.
Because of Dalton's tradition as a major employment center, quality workers are drawn from all surrounding Georgia and Tennessee counties. A constant influx of labor through the years has made it possible to staff the expanding economic base.
In keeping with increasing technical requirements of local industries, the skill levels of the labor force are rapidly improving. In addition to training, realized through changes in the workplace, numerous opportunities for specialized training at Dalton College provides enhanced skills through the Quick Start program and the Technical Division.
Recruiting and applicant screening services are available through the Georgia Department of Labor in Dalton. Use of this state-of-the-art employer driven program has enabled many existing companies to find quality laborers at minimal company expense.
The major thrust of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber is education. The vision of the Chamber is that before the turn of the century, every person in the area will have basic skills required to adapt to the changing workplace demands. Linking business, education and government resources, the Chamber works to forge a model community, including an attitude toward educational improvement that will yield a labor force of unique quality.
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