Page 15 - 2014 DCOC Annual Report

Partnership In Community
In a constant effort to foster and encourage an environment of collaboration and growth, the DeKalb
Chamber of Commerce continues to work closely with many partners to create growth and awareness
in DeKalb.
As a business advocacy organization the Chamber has played an integral role in the improvement of
county permitting processes and procedures. Over the last year, our business members have seen
improvement.
For nearly four years, the DeKalb Chamber has worked with various elected officials and civic leaders
for the creation of a new economic development agency. These efforts came to fruition when an
Intergovernmental Agreement was signed between the Development Authority of DeKalb County and
DeKalb County Government in 2014.
Since then, the Chamber has forged a strong partnership with the Development Authority of DeKalb
County and Managing Director, Rolanda Daniel Thomas. The Chamber assists the Development
Authority in its newly created responsibilities and initiatives such as WE DeKalb, Business Roundtables,
and business engagement meetings with key stakeholders.
To further economic development opportunities for Chamber members, the DeKalb Chamber works
with regional development agencies on strategies that when completed, will help make the metro
Atlanta region be more competitive in the areas of job creation and workforce development.
The DeKalb Chamber along with various Chambers from across the Metro Atlanta Region, participated
in the Regional Business Coalition, a consortium that advocates for competitive economic
development, transportation, and water policies at the Capitol. Katerina Taylor was selected to serve on
the 2015 Executive Committee.
In 2014, Lee May, Interim DeKalb County CEO, commissioned an Operations Taskforce to review
cityhood, annexation, government structure and other County operational functions. John Shelton,
Chamber Board Chairman and Vaughn Irons, Development Authority Chairman, were selected to serve
as Co-Chairs. As a result, the taskforce met its goal of recommending strategies that can be executed to
make DeKalb County a more efficient government.
The Chamber partnered with Parents Council United and Leadership DeKalb to host several forums for
the community to hear from current and running school board members. A program coined “It’s For
Them DeKalb”, and sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
VANGUARD AWARD WINNERS
Members of DeKalb Chamber’s Board were honored with the DeKalb County’s CEO’s 2014 Vanguard
Awards for excellence in their respective fields and their positive impact on strengthening our
communities and improving the quality of life for DeKalb’s citizens. Among the honorees were Emory
University Hospital, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce President, Katerina Taylor; Larry Callahan of Pattillo
Industrial Real Estate; John Shelton of DeKalb Medical Hospital and DeKalb Chamber Board Chairman;
Vaughn Irons of APD Solutions, and Chairman of the Development Authority of DeKalb County.
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Chamber Initiatives
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce participated in the three workforce development initia-
tives announced by DeKalb County Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May last year. These work-
force initiatives made available to local employers, were designed to spur hiring, retain employees
and re-employ long-term unemployed individuals. The three Initiatives included the Learn and Earn
On-the-Job Training Initiative, Incumbent Worker Training Initiative and the Workforce Innovation
Grant initiative, which provides work experience to workers unemployed for one year or longer. The
Chamber has also used this initiative to hire a new woman veteran teammate in 2014.
DEKALB YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
In 2013 the Chamber launched a Young Professionals initiative for working professionals 21-40
years of age to provide leadership training, business development opportunities, and volunteer
projects. In May 2014, the DeKalb Chamber Young Professionals group hosted a multicultural
discussion and luncheon. A panel of experts which included Tulu Kaifee, Regional Multicultural
Markets Officer for BB&T (Branch Banking & Trust); Ramon Cortes, Director of Marketing for Turner
Broadcasting; Jason Boyd, Research Manager for Turner Broadcasting; and Eddy Elguezabal, Director
of Sales, Univision Television Group, discussed strategic goals, outreach initiatives, and the effects of
multicultural marketing/lifestyle and sales in various industries.
SAVE LOCAL NOW
In 2014 the DeKalb Chamber encouraged its members and the DeKalb community to buy local using
a new chamber program and mobile app “Save Local Now”. All members were provided a free
mobile app that they could then post their company deals and events 24-hours a day giving national
access to their business services and products.
BUSINESS GROWTH SYMPOSIUM FOR VETS
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Georgia District office of the Small
Business Association (SBA), The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Cornerstone Bank
hosted a free business and growth symposium for Veterans and minority business owners in
2014. Topics included programs available for Veterans, the 7 (a) loan program, small business and
resource programs, and FRANVET, a franchise program for veterans.
2015 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING INITIATIVE
#ThisIsMyDeKalb