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80 YEARS: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

1938-1958 1958 – 1978 1978-1998 1998 – 2018

1938 1950s 1984 1997-1998

Tuesday, April 19, 1938, Rural farmscapes began to The DeKalb Chamber moved In 1997, despite concerns
the Decatur Board of give way to suburban to a new location on Columbia from some Board members,
Trade evolves into the landscapes in DeKalb. The Drive in downtown Decatur, DeKalb Chamber merged with
DeKalb Chamber of dairy industry moved away and asked the City of Decatur the Metro Atlanta Chamber
Commerce and from small, co-operative to endorse its move by with the hopes of enhancing
Agriculture. farms to larger farms changing the name of development opportunities in
Columbia Drive and Oliver
where technology allowed
the county. In the early 2000s,
1942 fewer cows to produce Street to “Commerce Drive.” the Metro Atlanta Chamber
By 1942, Scott Candler, a more milk. "Oliver Street" was renamed divested in DeKalb Chamber
charter member of the 1959 “Commerce Drive.” to pursue regional interest
Chamber along with his Due to overcrowding in its 1985 leaving the Chamber an
autonomous agency that
top staff person, Julius schools and the threat of The foundation was laid for would focus locally on DeKalb
McCurdy, developed the losing accreditation, Leadership DeKalb, a County businesses.
single most important DeKalb County schools program born out of the
public works project in sought help from the Chamber. Leadership 2001
the county’s history — a Chamber. The Chamber DeKalb would officially The Chamber worked with
county-wide water endorsed and helped pass launch in 1986. the DeKalb Legislative
system. an $11.5 million bond for 1987 Delegation to support
1945-1948 the school system. The The Chamber played a legislation around
Chamber did not stop
community improvement
The war years saw the there; it led efforts to major role in winning voter districts and tax allocation
Chamber involved in develop a county-owned approval for a $33 million districts to help bolster
defense efforts. DeKalb and operated junior college bond referendum to economic development in
Chamber led the Georgia Perimeter College, improve county parks and areas of the county that
campaign for increased now a part of Georgia recreational centers. were lagging in growth.
food production. Members State University. 1990 2010
bought $100,000 in war 1962 Leaps in technology shifted The Chamber led the
bonds and provided cars July 31, 1962, the DeKalb the focus of commerce in formation of EduKalb to
to transport military Chamber of Commerce DeKalb. The County train school board
selectees to Fort and Agriculture, Inc. was became a leader in the candidates, endorse quality
McPherson. officially renamed the growth of high-tech candidates and drive
1948 DeKalb Chamber of industries and was home to community awareness.
more than 145 high-tech
In 1946 General Motors Commerce. companies. The Clifton 2014
announced plans for an 1966 Corridor became an DeKalb Chamber hired its
assembly plant in With the Chamber and emerging center for first woman President and
Doraville. More than county working hand-in-hand, biomedical technology CEO and under her
5,000 people would be 355 new plants opened research and development. leadership, WELD (Women
hired when the plant producing 14,000 new jobs 1992-1993 Executive Leaders of
opened in 1948. and an investment totaling The DeKalb Chamber DeKalb) was formed. In
1957 $90 million dollars. endorsed Governor Zell 2018, WELD held its first
State of Women In
1971
In 1957, the Chamber Miller’s call to change the Business.
adopted its first The DeKalb Chamber led the Georgia State Flag. DeKalb 2017
efforts to plan for a rapid
comprehensive strategic transit study and endorsed a Chamber along with other
state chambers also
plan and in that same era local tax referendum to advocated for a discount The Chamber supported a
grew from 200 members finance the system. Initially on worker’s compensation county-wide SPLOST that
to 800 members. voters were hesitant; however, resulted in $636.8 million in
with the leadership of the premiums for small tax revenue for transportation,
Chamber and others, the businesses. In 1993, the public safety, parks and
referendum passed. That governor signed into law recreation, and general
system, known as the House Bill 811. The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Chamber’s advocacy efforts repairs.
Transit Agency (MARTA), is addressed business interest
now the 9th largest transit and quality of life in The story
system in the country. continues...
DeKalb.