Times Reports on Dalton's Economic Decline

Dalton, GA, Aug. 21, 2012 -- The New York times profiled Dalton's unemployment and economic issues in Tuesday's edition.

The Times reports that the stretch of carpet mills and floor covering outlets "that hugs Interstate 75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga lost 4,600 jobs, or 6.9 percent, from June 2011 to June 2012, according to a new report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics."

The Times goes on to report that it wasn't so long ago that the carpet mills couldn't find enough workers as the housing boom had created so much demand for carpet.

But with the housing bust, Dalton's fortunes took a nosedive, and likely a permanent one, as few people expect a return to the boom years.

"Last week, the cavernous floor-covering emporiums along Dalton’s carpet row were empty. Carpet sellers who used to bring home $60,000 a year or more are making half that — if they have a job at all," the Times reported.

The newspaper notes that technology has also enabled mills to hire fewer workers as well.