Page 16 - 2014 DCOC Annual Report

Partnership In Community Chamber Initiatives

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.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

As a business advocacy organization the Chamber has played an integral role in the improvement of The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce participated in the three workforce development initia-
county permitting processes and procedures. Over the last year, our business members have seen tives announced by DeKalb County Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May last year. These work-
improvement. 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
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 Grant initiative, which provides work experience to workers unemployed for one year or longer. The
Intergovernmental Agreement was signed between the Development Authority of DeKalb County and Chamber has also used this initiative to hire a new woman veteran teammate in 2014.
DeKalb County Government in 2014.
DEKALB YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Since then, the Chamber has forged a strong partnership with the Development Authority of DeKalb In 2013 the Chamber launched a Young Professionals initiative for working professionals 21-40
County and Managing Director, Rolanda Daniel Thomas. The Chamber assists the Development years of age to provide leadership training, business development opportunities, and volunteer
Authority in its newly created responsibilities and initiatives such as WE DeKalb, Business Roundtables, projects. In May 2014, the DeKalb Chamber Young Professionals group hosted a multicultural
and business engagement meetings with key stakeholders. 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
To further economic development opportunities for Chamber members, the DeKalb Chamber works Broadcasting; Jason Boyd, Research Manager for Turner Broadcasting; and Eddy Elguezabal, Director
with regional development agencies on strategies that when completed, will help make the metro of Sales, Univision Television Group, discussed strategic goals, outreach initiatives, and the effects of
Atlanta region be more competitive in the areas of job creation and workforce development. multicultural marketing/lifestyle and sales in various industries.

The DeKalb Chamber along with various Chambers from across the Metro Atlanta Region, participated SAVE LOCAL NOW
in the Regional Business Coalition, a consortium that advocates for competitive economic In 2014 the DeKalb Chamber encouraged its members and the DeKalb community to buy local using
development, transportation, and water policies at the Capitol. Katerina Taylor was selected to serve on a new chamber program and mobile app “Save Local Now”. All members were provided a free
the 2015 Executive Committee. 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.
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, BUSINESS GROWTH SYMPOSIUM FOR VETS
Chamber Board Chairman and Vaughn Irons, Development Authority Chairman, were selected to serve The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Georgia District office of the Small
as Co-Chairs. As a result, the taskforce met its goal of recommending strategies that can be executed to Business Association (SBA), The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Cornerstone Bank
make DeKalb County a more efficient government. 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
The Chamber partnered with Parents Council United and Leadership DeKalb to host several forums for resource programs, and FRANVET, a franchise program for veterans.
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.
2015 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING INITIATIVE
VANGUARD AWARD WINNERS
Members of DeKalb Chamber’s Board were honored with the DeKalb County’s CEO’s 2014 Vanguard #ThisIsMyDeKalb
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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