Decide DeKalb Development Authority

We're proud to announce that our President Dorian DeBarr has been named to the 2025 Georgia Titan 100! This prestigious recognition celebrates the area's most accomplished C-level executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and passion in their industries. This Titan 100 honor reflects Dorian's dedication to advancing DeKalb County's economic growth and fostering community development. Join us in congratulating Dorian on this well-deserved recognition! To learn more about our economic development initiatives, visit decidedekalb.com. #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbCounty #EconomicDevelopment #Titan100

Do you know who to contact for your economic development questions & needs here at Decide DeKalb? Well our team of industry experts can help with a variety of areas from small businesses and entrepreneurs, to site selection for your business, and even revitalization and remediation of brownfields in the county. Contact a team member today and let's work together to make DeKalb County the best place to do business! #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbCounty #DevelopmentTeam #DecideOnDeKalb

Thank you DeKalb community! Your incredible support of our local students at the DeKalb Student Film Festival creates an environment where young filmmakers can showcase their talents and receive valuable encouragement. Your presence and enthusiasm are especially important in nurturing these emerging artists at a time when the film industry continues to expand, offering growing career opportunities while these festivals provide crucial early platforms for creative expression, professional networking, and building the confidence that will help them succeed. #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbStudentFilmFestival #FilmStudiosInGA #FilmFestival

We're proud to announce that our President Dorian DeBarr has been named to the 2025 Georgia Titan 100! This prestigious recognition celebrates the area's most accomplished C-level executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and passion in their industries. This Titan 100 honor reflects Dorian's dedication to advancing DeKalb County's economic growth and fostering community development. Join us in congratulating Dorian on this well-deserved recognition! To learn more about our economic development initiatives, visit decidedekalb.com. #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbCounty #EconomicDevelopment #Titan100

🎬Lights! Camera! Countdown! The 7th annual DeKalb County Student Film Festival is just a week away and this is your sign to make plans to attend and support the young film makers and creatives in DeKalb County. The free event will begin promptly at 7 pm at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center. Take a peek: https://loom.ly/_7bW8uU #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbCountySchoolDistrict #DeKalbCountyStudentFilmFestival #SupportLocalArtists

The GPTC MADE Pathways to Success Showcase was tremendous! The connections made between students, educators, and employers will help strengthen our local workforce pipeline for the future. We appreciate all of our partners who participated in the demonstrations and breakout sessions and a very special shoutout to Georgia Piedmont Technical College & DeKalb County School District #DecideDeKalb #DeKalbCounty #MADEinDeKalb #GPTC #DCSD #CareerShowcase

👏 After years of incredible work and dedication, our very own Joshua Williams is embarking on a new chapter—and we couldn’t be more excited (and a little sad) to see him go! Joshua has been a rockstar in the workforce development space, and his impact here at Decide DeKalb has been nothing short of transformative. From managing the MADE in DeKalb Program to leading the charge on Industry Ready DeKalb, Joshua has grown into an absolute powerhouse in connecting talent with opportunity. We’ve had the privilege of watching him evolve into the established workforce development professional he is today, and we’re beyond proud to cheer him on as he takes this next step. The best part? He’s not going far! Joshua is joining one of our amazing partners, Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC), so we’re thrilled to keep collaborating with him. But listen up, GPTC — you better take extra good care of our guy! Joshua, your ability to leverage resources, build community, and drive impact has left an indelible mark on us all. Decide DeKalb won’t be the same without you, but we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next. Go show GPTC what you’re made of! #WorkforceDevelopment #NextChapter #GPTC #WeWillMissYou #GoGetEmJoshua #DecideDeKalbAlumni

Yesterday, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce (Georgia) hosted the State of Economic Development in DeKalb, featuring Decide DeKalb’s President, Dorian DeBarr, who shared insights on the current economic landscape of DeKalb County. Dorian showcased the remarkable progress and exciting future opportunities for our county, covering everything from small business growth to workforce development initiatives. He also shared updates on the upcoming Decide DeKalb Small Business Loan Fund, set to launch in Spring 2025, which will provide critical financial support to DeKalb entrepreneurs. James Tsismanakis, MGHM, CAHTA, CHIA, TMP, CDME, Executive Director & CEO of Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared exciting updates on their marketing efforts and how they’re working to position DeKalb as a premier destination for visitors and businesses alike. This event was a fantastic opportunity to hear from two leading experts on how DeKalb is thriving and what’s next for our community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation! #DecideDeKalb #EconomicDevelopment #SmallBusiness #DeKalbCounty

🫂Decide DeKalb Development Authority celebrates International Women's Day by recognizing the transformative power of women in our community who serve as mentors, leaders, and change makers, inspiring future generations through their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress. As we reflect on the women who have personally touched our lives – whether as mothers, sisters, colleagues, or friends – their strength and determination remind us why we must continue advocating for women's rights and equal opportunities, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions valued in every sphere of society. #DecideDeKalb #InternationalWomensDay #WomensRights #DeKalbCounty

Yesterday’s Vision + Value Virtual event was chocked full of gems and insights. Be sure to check it out if you missed it and give us your thoughts on what the next funding program should cover.