Episode Details

What  does it take to build a hometown people can't seem to leave? In this episode, we sit down with David Aft, President of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, to talk about what he calls the "Dalton differences": short commutes, civic engagement, and a town full of people who showed up planning to stay a few years and never left. From building Burr Park with a single donor's million-dollar check to reviving the historic Dalton Depot, David shares the stories behind Dalton's transformation — plus a few unexpected moments from his travels that prove Dalton's reputation truly does get around.

HIGHLIGHTS

• David shares how he moved to Dalton in 1996 for a job with the United Way and never left
• The "Dalton differences": short commutes and how that time gave him decades with his family
• David's philosophy on civic engagement — you don't start at the top, you just start showing up
• The origin story of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and David's nearly 24-year career there
• How the foundation grew from $7 million to over $100 million in assets and has made 1,000+ grants in the past year alone
• The story behind Burr Park: how a conversation with donor Jean Burr led to a $1 million gift and a decade of community events
• The renovation of the historic Dalton Depot in partnership with Barrett Properties
• A memorable run-in with a stranger in the Toronto airport who knew Dalton for its senior softball scene
• David and his wife Paulie's story of opening Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium
• David's reflections on watching the next generation — including his own son and Lauren — grow up and stay rooted in Dalton
• David's favorite thing about Dalton: its growing trail system and vibrant downtown

CHAPTERS

1:00 — Meet David Aft

2:03 — Moving to Dalton

3:28 — Dalton Differences

5:01 — Career in Community

7:26 — Civic Engagement Mindset

9:25 — Community Foundation Origins

12:28 — Grants and Growth

17:33 — Burr Park Story

24:58 — Depot Revival and Stories

26:40 — Unexpected Dalton Moments

34:13 — Favorite Dalton Things

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia  https://www.communityfoundationnwga.org/
• Dalton Depot https://visitdaltonga.com/directory/name/dalton-freight-depot/
• Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium
• Dalton Brewing Company
• Scoops Ice Cream

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