DeKalb County Economic Development Authority

07/14/2026

🏭⚙️ Nearly 70 years ago, The Gas House established its roots in Fort Payne with a commitment to quality craftsmanship and American manufacturing. Today, GH Metal Solutions continues that legacy, building on decades of experience while serving customers across the country.

From custom metal fabrication to innovative manufacturing solutions, GH Metal Solutions continues to invest in its people and operations in DeKalb County. Its team plays an important role in supporting our local economy and strengthening DeKalb County’s manufacturing base.

We appreciate GH Metal Solutions’ continued investment in DeKalb County and look forward to supporting its success for years to come. 🤝

GH Metal Solutions

07/13/2026

🚧 Major infrastructure improvement ahead for one of DeKalb County’s most traveled corridors! 🛣️

07/10/2026

🚀 Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level?

Join our Business Bootcamp and gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies you need to start, grow, and strengthen your business!

✅ Learn from experts
✅ Build your business skills
✅ Network with other entrepreneurs
✅ Access valuable resources for success

Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand, this bootcamp is designed to help you move forward with confidence.

🤝 Presented in partnership with Alabama Extension, Alabama A&M University, and Auburn University.

📅 Register today and secure your spot!
🔗 Sign Up Here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6569

07/03/2026

🧑‍🧒‍🧒👕Nearly two decades ago, The Children’s Place broke ground on its Southeastern Distribution Center in Fort Payne. The project was expected to support about 100 employees in an impressive but modest new facility. 👚🩳

Today, the campus has grown to nearly 1 million square feet under roof, includes more than 20 miles of advanced conveyor systems, and regularly supports more than 800 employees.

This growth represents a major investment in DeKalb County and has strengthened our region’s role in logistics, distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment.

If you have ever ordered apparel from The Children’s Place online, there is a strong chance it made its way to your home through Fort Payne, Alabama.

We appreciate The Children’s Place and look forward to continuing to support their success in DeKalb County. 🤝

The Children's Place

07/02/2026

DeKalb County celebrations! 🇺🇸🎆

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend in DeKalb County! 🎆 From patriotic parades and fireworks to live music, family fun, and hometown traditions, there's something happening all weekend long!

🎇 Fort Payne’s Independence Day Celebration
📍 Fort Payne Sports Complex
🗓️ July 2 | ⏰ 6:00 PM
Live music, food vendors & a spectacular fireworks show at 8:45 PM.
🎆 Kilpatrick's 4th of July Celebration
📍 Kilpatrick Event Center
🗓️ July 3 | 4:00 PM
Join the community for an evening of food, fun, and fireworks!
🎉 DeSoto State Park Annual Independence Day Events
📍 DeSoto State Park
🗓️ July 3–4
• Flag-Making Contest (entries due by 9 AM July 4)
• 💦 Splish & Splash Pool Party – July 3 | 6:30–9:00 PM
• 🍦 Ice Cream Social – July 4 | 4:00 PM
Family-friendly fun all weekend!
🥔 Sand Mountain Potato Festival
📍 Henagar City Park
🗓️ July 4 | ⏰ 10:00 AM
Parade, live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts, antique cars, games & fireworks at 9:00 PM!
🐟 Fourth of July Fish Fry
📍 Possum Emporium - Mentone
🗓️ July 4 | 11:30 AM - 3:00PM
Celebrate with a delicious fish fry and hometown hospitality!
🔗https://visitlookoutmountain.com/event-calendar/

07/02/2026

Our Elevate DeKalb strategic plan is intentionally aligned with Alabama’s new CatALyst strategy. 🤝

We’re leaning into our strengths while preparing our communities for what’s next!

06/30/2026

🔥 WE'RE HIRING! 🔥

Know someone looking for a welding job? 👀

PlayCore is hiring **2nd Shift MIG Welders** in Fort Payne, AL! If you have welding experience and want to join a great company with competitive pay and benefits, check out the flyer below and apply today.

👉 **Apply online:** playcore.com/careers or click link below

https://playcore.rec.pro.ukg.net/PLA1500PLCN/JobBoard/8334be75-1d8a-4eb3-81ef-52822b3ba6a5/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=866073bd-2092-4256-a116-a7baa7a70799

Please **like, share, and tag** someone who might be interested!

06/30/2026

📦📐We visited G2 Supply at their new headquarters facility in Valley Head as part of our ongoing Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) program.

During our visit, we learned more about their growing operations, workforce, and future plans as they continue supplying manufacturers throughout our region with quality packaging products and innovative support services.

G2’s recent acquisition of the former Shaw Industries facility in Valley Head adds 180,000 square feet of capacity to their growing operations. Their continued investment represents another positive step for DeKalb County’s manufacturing economy and the jobs it supports.

Thank you to the G2 team for taking the time to meet with us and for continuing to invest and grow in DeKalb County. 🤝

06/26/2026

✨Yesterday’s DeKalb County Hiring Event, held in partnership with Career Connect, showed what is possible when employers, workforce partners, volunteers, and local communities work together.

The impact was clear:

225 participants
341 total individuals reached, including preregistered jobseekers
64% of participants indicated they are not currently in the workforce

For local employers, this represents a large pool of local talent ready to be engaged.

Thank you to Career Connect, AIDT, the City of Fort Payne, participating employers, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this event successful.

After our smaller pilot hiring event with Career Connect produced similar results last year, we continue to see the power of this model to connect jobseekers with real employer needs.

For companies that were unable to participate this time, we hope you will consider joining us for the next one. When DeKalb County employers show up, we can elevate our workforce, strengthen our economy, and create more opportunity for our people and businesses. 🤝

06/26/2026

💡🌡️ We recently had the opportunity to visit Emerson in Rainsville as part of our ongoing Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) efforts.

The team at Emerson’s Rainsville facility manufactures and assembles a variety of high-quality electrical transformers for industrial customers around the world. We enjoyed learning more about their operations, workforce needs, and future opportunities.

These conversations help us better support the businesses that power DeKalb County’s economy. Thank you to Emerson for your time and for the important role you play in our community! 🤝