Decide DeKalb Development Authority

10/15/2026

Buford Highway, this one’s for you. 💼

Decide DeKalb is bringing the Pop-Up Business Incubator to Buford Highway. A free resource event designed to connect local entrepreneurs with the tools, capital, and support they need to launch and grow their businesses right here in their community.

Date: October 21
Time: Drop in anytime from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: 4445 Buford Highway NE
Chamblee, GA 30341

Register at the link in bio.

10/13/2026

You served our country. Now let DeKalb serve you.

Decide DeKalb is building a Veteran-Owned Business Guide to spotlight the veterans building businesses right here in DeKalb County.

If you own a veteran-owned business, we want you in it!

Get listed. Get discovered. Get connected.

Your service deserves recognition. Your business deserves visibility.

Get listed: https://www.decidedekalb.com/dekalb-veteran-owned-business-guide

10/09/2026

October is LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to recognize the history, contributions, and lasting impact of the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈

At Decide DeKalb, we're proud to recognize the LGBTQIA+ individuals, businesses, and community leaders who help make DeKalb County stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive.

This month, we're spotlighting OUT Georgia Business Alliance, a statewide organization dedicated to building power and advancing equity for LGBTQIA+ Georgians through civic engagement, community organizing, and advocacy.

We believe inclusive economic development means creating opportunities for everyone, and we're proud to support a DeKalb where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more about OUT Georgia at outgeorgia.org.

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Sunny Anderson on graduating from the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Leadership Institute!

The ARC's Regional Leadership Institute brings together professionals from across the region to deepen their understanding of metro Atlanta’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, and Sunny is one of the most deserving of this recognition.

Sunny’s dedication to DeKalb County and her commitment to building a stronger, more connected community are evident in everything she does. This milestone reflects the incredible leader she continues to be.

Sunny is pictured here with ARC COO Mike Alexander, who joined in celebrating this year’s RLI graduates.

10/06/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Norman C. Sauce III!

Yesterday, the DeKalb County Board of Education approved Dr. Sauce as the DeKalb County School District Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Sauce brings years of leadership and experience within DeKalb County schools to the role, including serving as Interim Superintendent, Chief of Student Services, Area Superintendent for High Schools, Region IV Superintendent, and principal of Chamblee High School.

Strong schools are essential to strong communities and a strong economy. The work happening in our classrooms today helps shape DeKalb’s workforce, leadership, and opportunities for tomorrow.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside DeKalb County School District and Dr. Sauce to connect students, educators and employers and help prepare the next generation for what’s ahead.

Congratulations, Dr. Sauce, and best wishes as you lead DeKalb County School District into its next chapter!

10/02/2026

A September to remember. 💙

From workforce conversations to business resources and a partnership award worth celebrating, September reminded us why we do this work.

We shared insights on DeKalb’s workforce with leaders in Clarkston and Decatur and at the Greater Perimeter Chamber. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recognized Workforce Development Month with a proclamation, and we connected with colleagues at the Georgia Economic Developers Association conference. We also joined the Greater Perimeter Chamber’s Washington, D.C. Fly-In.

We gathered for Read to Lead to discuss Brian Goldstone’s There Is No Place for Us, visited Stone Mill Elementary and joined the inaugural DeKalb Women’s Commission gathering. Justin Roberson also served as a panelist for the African American Women Trucking Association.

We held Business Resources 101 in partnership with the City of Chamblee and Better Business Bureau, connecting business owners with resources to help them grow.

And we celebrated Career Catalyst: STEM Edition receiving the 2026 Cinda Herndon-King Award for Excellence in Workforce Partnerships—a recognition shared by the partners who make this work possible.

Different rooms, different conversations, one thing in common: people working to build opportunity across DeKalb.

Thank you to every partner, business owner and community member who was part of our September. On to October.

09/25/2026

The DeKalb State of the Workforce Report was created to do more than sit on a shelf. It was designed to spark conversations and guide action.

Rudi Pangad has been taking the report’s findings directly to leaders and organizations across DeKalb County, most recently presenting to the City of Clarkston, GA Government. He has also shared insights with the City of Decatur GA- Government, the Greater Perimeter Chamber, United Way and DeKalb County School District’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education team.

Each conversation helps build a clearer picture of our workforce today and what residents, employers and industries will need to thrive tomorrow.

The conversation continues September 30, when Rudi moderates “The Future Is Hands-On,” a panel exploring the evolving workforce landscape and the growing importance of skilled careers.

Because understanding the data is only the beginning. What we do with it will shape DeKalb’s future.

Space is limited so register today for the virtual panel at the link in our bio.

09/23/2026

What can a book club bring to economic development? A chance to see a community through someone else’s eyes.

That’s the idea behind Read to Lead, Decide DeKalb’s team book club. And yes, we take it pretty seriously!

Some of our team recently gathered to discuss Brian Goldstone’s There Is No Place for Us, a powerful look at housing instability and working families navigating life without a secure place to call home. Our reading list has also included Josh Green’s Goodbye Sweetberry Park and Dar Williams’s What I Found in a Thousand Towns.

We’re intentional about the books we choose. They deepen our understanding of community, economic development and the people behind the data.

The conversations don’t end when we close the books. They help us ask better questions about the places and people at the heart of our work.

What should the Decide DeKalb book club read next? Share your recommendation in the comments. 📚

09/22/2026

09/22/2026

Decide DeKalb is pleased to announce Cornell McBride Jr. as Chair of our Board of Directors.

A longtime DeKalb business leader and former Board Co-Chair, McBride brings decades of entrepreneurial experience and a deep commitment to our community. As president of DeKalb-based McBride Research Laboratories, home of the nationally recognized Design Essentials brand, he has helped lead the company’s innovation and growth for more than 30 years.

McBride’s appointment continues a strong tradition of board leadership as we work to create opportunity, support businesses and move DeKalb forward.

Please join us in congratulating Cornell McBride Jr. on his new role.

🔗 Read the full announcement at the link in bio.