County says Dalton, trade-center board vetoed Dalton State plan that would have saved $12M

The chair told the board that Whitfield County and Dalton State had negotiated terms for Dalton State to take over weekday operations of the Dalton Convention Center while preserving trade-center events on weekends. The chair said the arrangement would have produced "$12,000,000 savings" over 10 years shared between the city and county but was vetoed today by the city of Dalton and the trade center board.

"We actually came to an agreement for Dalton State to take over the Dalton Convention Center... it was vetoed by the city today," the chair said. He added the county had not been asking for an immediate approval from the city but had asked for the city attorney to review the agreement and provide feedback; county officials described the veto as blocking a potential shared saving for taxpayers.

County officials described the plan as keeping weekend trade and event activity intact while using the facility for educational purposes Monday–Thursday to address Dalton State's parking and classroom needs. The chair said the county will continue looking at alternatives and kept the public informed that the proposed change was not approved by the city or trade-center board.