Dalton, Georgia, is experiencing a significant economic revival thanks to Biden’s clean energy law, which has spurred growth in the local manufacturing sector. Yet, the political landscape remains firmly in favour of Donald Trump, highlighting a complex interplay between economic benefits and political allegiance.
The presence of the Qcells solar panel plant stands as a testament to Biden’s climate investment law, transforming Dalton into a burgeoning hub for green energy. Despite clear economic advantages, the local community continues to demonstrate unwavering support for Trump.
Trump Strikes a Chord
Dalton, located in a congressional district represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene, remains a stronghold for Donald Trump. “The independence that we keep up here – it is that independence and outsider that he has really struck a chord with,” said Kasey Carpenter, the Republican state representative for the area. “And my folks, they appreciate that. And quite frankly that I appreciate that too.”
Carpenter, who is not a die-hard Trump supporter, reflects on the political landscape: “We are in a world where we get two candidates, but we have 27 boxes of cereal on the shelf. That is the world I live in. It is that frustrating that you have two candidates.” However, the economic debate here ultimately hinges on inflation. “Inflation is such a big issue for our community right now that that is going to trump anything that kind of I think about,” he added.
Economic Transformation amid Political Paradox
The Qcells plant in Dalton, the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, exemplifies the area’s economic resurgence. Known as the carpet capital of the world, Dalton’s dominant market share in the flooring industry left it vulnerable to the 2008 housing market crash. “It was a bloodbath for us here,” lamented Carpenter. “It was a ghost town. And it took us years to get out of it.”
Local and state leaders worked assiduously to diversify the town’s economy, culminating in substantial investments in green energy, notably fueled by the Biden administration’s climate incentives. “They are all equally important,” said Lisa Nash of Qcells when asked about the support from various government levels. “It is like a recipe and without one ingredient, you cannot successfully have this project.”
A Hometown Feel in Cartersville
About 50 miles down I-75, Cartersville exudes a strong sense of community. On a recent Saturday, the town’s farmer’s market was bustling with residents patronising local vendors. Cartersville has been ranked the top farmer’s market in Georgia for two years running, a significant feat in a county that voted 75% for Trump in 2020.
Cartersville’s mayor, Matt Santini, sees this community spirit as pivotal in luring Qcells to build its next plant nearby. Despite the town’s Republican leanings, Santini emphasises the community’s essence. “It is doubled in size since I moved here in the early ’90s, but it still has that hometown feel,” he stated. “You see people talking and getting along with each other.”
Dalton’s Industrial Evolution
Back in Dalton, the local sentiment is mirrored in the Oakwood Cafe, where Carpenter, the state legislator, works when not in session. “I am real connected,” Carpenter noted. “I fry their chicken on Monday, and Saturdays I am washing their dishes.” The cafe embodies the blue-collar ethos of the community, which takes pride in its industrial roots.
Despite the local economy’s growth through green energy, residents hold ambivalent views on this sector. “We are growing the green energy that they do not necessarily care that much about,” Carpenter admitted. “But I think they are coming around because they see the impact on the economy.” Indeed, the green energy sector’s downstream effects are significant, from job creation to boosting local businesses.
Economic and Community Revival
Dalton’s economic revival is most tangible in downtown developments like the new boutique hotel, the area’s first in 50 years. Yet, campaign threats from Trump to repeal climate laws that fueled this economic growth have not swayed local voters. “I do not think they realise that if the whole thing is repealed, it will affect those 2,500 jobs down on the south end of the county. And it is real,” Carpenter warned. “It will have consequences.”
Qcells officials note that their initial investment in Dalton was influenced by Trump’s tariffs on solar panels, despite the former president’s current stance. This bipartisan support provides a level of protection for the project. Lisa Nash, Qcells plant manager, is cautiously optimistic about the future. “No, I am optimistic because we are just scratching the surface,” she said.
Nash reflects on her parents’ advice against entering manufacturing, feeling pride in the industry’s resurgence. “I would like to think they are both proud of me today because of this. I look at my kids and my grandkids, and I am thinking: ‘I wouldn’t mind them doing that.'” This sentiment encapsulates the broader transformation that Dalton has undergone, no longer a one-industry town but a burgeoning hub for green energy production.
Threats That Haven’t Resonated
The downstream effects of Dalton’s economic growth are evident in the new boutique hotel downtown, the first in the area in 50 years. However, Donald Trump’s campaign threats to repeal key climate laws have not resonated with local voters. “I do not think they realise that if the whole thing is repealed, it will affect those 2,500 jobs down on the south end of the county. And it is real,” said Carpenter. “It will have consequences.”
Qcells officials point out that their initial investment in Dalton was due to Trump’s solar panel tariffs. This bipartisan support presents a level of protection for the project, despite Trump’s current stance. When asked about the future of the industry, Nash, the Qcells plant manager, said, “No, I am optimistic because we are just scratching the surface.”
Lisa Nash reflects on her parents’ advice against entering manufacturing, feeling pride in the industry’s resurgence. “I would like to think they are both proud of me today because of this. I look at my kids and my grandkids, and I am thinking: ‘I would not mind them doing that.'”
Nash’s reflections encapsulate the broader transformation Dalton has undergone, shifting from a one-industry town to a flourishing centre for green energy. The community’s evolution speaks to the significant impact of strategic economic diversification.
