The Future of DeKalb is Inclusive and Prosperous
Decide DeKalb’s plans for the future are coming to fruition now.
Sustainable growth within a community is often the result of creative collaboration, innovation, and inclusive vision. In an ever-changing economic landscape, a dynamic and opportunity-focused approach to development is what allows communities to grow in a way that is accessible and creates prosperity for both the individuals and groups within that space. In an ever-changing economic landscape, a collaborative and intentional approach to growth creates prosperous communities.
TUCKER, GEORGIA – AUGUST 10: PepsiCo Beverages North America breaks ground on $260 million DeKalb County Manufacturing Expansion on August 10, 2022 in Tucker, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Pepsi)
Dekalb County is growing. It contains over 18,000 businesses and is currently one of the fastest growing job markets in the state of Georgia. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Gray TV, PepsiCo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Farm are all located in DeKalb. From entertainment to healthcare to advanced manufacturing, it’s clear that DeKalb County is an attractive location to do business.
“We are excited to be a catalyst for inclusive growth in our community.” Decide DeKalb Development Authority President Dorian DeBarr
Sugarbowl Bakery
A strategically guided and collaborative approach ensures that growth is sustainable, equitable and impactful. In partnership with the County and its Municipalities, Decide Dekalb Development Authority directs DeKalb’s economic growth and the community’s development.
“Our mission around Economic Development is a more holistic approach and one that goes beyond generating opportunities for businesses,” said Decide DeKalb President Dorian DeBarr. “We focus on cultivating a thriving ecosystem where everyone benefits from growth, and every corner of DeKalb achieves its utmost potential.”
Decide DeKalb operates with a clear and strategic mission: to foster growth, equity, and innovation throughout the community.
Since 2021, Decide DeKalb has facilitated $1.4 billion in new investments and over 10,000 new and retained jobs. Some of their recent economic accomplishments include:
- Attracting Businesses: Recent developments in DeKalb include Assembly Studios, which is the new home of NBCUniversal. Assembly Atlanta and the adjacent Third Rail Studios are projected to create 4,000 jobs. Electric Owl Studios, the first LEED Gold-certified sound stage in the world, also opened in 2023.
- Retaining and Expanding Businesses: The expansion of the PepsiCo Beverages facility in DeKalb, which is predicted to create 136 new full-time jobs will make it one of Pepsi’s largest manufacturing facilities by 2025. The Shadowbox Studios expansion is the largest investment in South DeKalb’s history and will add 1.2MM square feet on a 155-acres. Decide DeKalb also develops strong relationships with small business owners and entrepreneurs to ensure their businesses are set up with the tools to succeed and grow.
Soccer in the Streets event: photo Bonner Ziglor Ziglor Photos for Decide DeKalb.
- Collaboration for Community: Economic development alone doesn’t guarantee inter-community growth and support. That’s why Decide Dekalb also prioritizes collaboration with community agencies to support and enhance the quality of life throughout the county. From working with Soccer in the Streets to turn unused land into community soccer fields to collaborating with Community Farmer’s Market to support the construction of a Fresh MARTA Market to make healthier food options more accessible to Dekalb residents, Decide Dekalb works to build a more sustainable internal community.
- Redevelopment and Sustainability Opportunities: Former industrial or commercial sites where future use is affected by environmental contamination are known as Brownfields and are areas of opportunity for DeKalb County. Decide DeKalb collaborated with DeKalb County on the development of a new GIS Tool that shows developers, investors and citizens properties that can be cleaned up and redeveloped.
- Building a Strong Talent Pipeline: As DeKalb County’s manufacturing and logistics sector continues to grow, programs such as the MADE In DeKalb Educator Fellowship represents a significant investment in DeKalb’s future workforce. Made possible through collaboration with WorkSource DeKalb, MADE IN DEKALB is an abbreviation for Manufacturing, Automation, and Distribution Emerging in DeKalb, and the program’s goal is to immerse a diverse group of educators from across DeKalb County Schools in site visits at DeKalb-based companies in addition to participating in panel discussions and talks with industry leaders throughout the program.
- Community-Focused: In addition to ensuring that people have access to training for jobs in growth sectors, Decide DeKalb also works to ensure that there are housing options and that living in DeKalb is accessible. The WE (Workforce Enhancement) DeKalb program provides a down payment grant of up to 3% to qualified applicants interested in purchasing a home in DeKalb County. Yet another example of how Decide DeKalb is ensuring prosperity throughout the community.
Growing DeKalb through various economic and growth streams.
By focusing on building up the community using a layered and collaborative approach, from business assistance, educational programs for entrepreneurs to skills development, Decide Dekalb creates an ecosystem of opportunities that reflects the diverse needs and talents of their residents and the businesses they serve. As they nurture a climate where businesses can thrive, individuals can excel, and innovation can flourish, they sow the seeds of a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
