Dalton ranks 115 among the 179 best small places for business and careers in the United States, according to Forbes magazine.

In its March 19, 2008, issue (on the Web at http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/5/bestplaces08_Best-Small-Places-For-Business-And-Careers_Rank.html?partner=email), the business magazine ranked the Dalton metropolitan area, which includes Whitfield and Murray counties, 115 overall. That ranking takes into account factors such as cost of doing business (32 out of 179), access to colleges (72), cost of living (110), crime rate (80), culture and leisure (101), educational attainment (177), income growth (85), job growth (115) and net migration (58).

“Out of all the small communities in the U.S., that Dalton was even on the list is great. We are certainly glad that we were recognized,” said Melanie Suggs, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority. “But what it also does is point out there are challenges that we already know as a community that we need to focus on.”

Suggs says having Dalton on the list should help the development authority in its efforts to bring businesses to the area.

“Being on the list itself doesn’t necessarily mean someone is going to locate their company here, but the more positive things we have to talk about the better. It’s another positive thing for us to use in our promotional efforts,” she said.

Among other Georgia cities on the list, Dalton ranked above Albany (124), but behind Athens (13), Warner Robbins (42), Gainesville (57), Brunswick (66), Macon (91), Valdosta (95), Hinesville (103) and Rome (112).

Dalton also topped cities in neighboring states such as Dothan, Ala. (134), Decatur, Ala. (147), Florence, S.C. (154) and Gadsden, Ala. (170).