Decide DeKalb Invests in Retail Excellence Through Strategic Training Partnership
With one in four jobs in the United States in a retail establishment, attracting retailers is an important job for economic developers.
That’s why Decide DeKalb’s team recently completed an intensive Retail Academy training program hosted by national retail advisory firm Retail Strategies in Birmingham, Alabama.
Empowering Communities Through Retail Development
The Retail Academy teaches communities how to “speak retail” in their bid to attract targeted retailers that match the real estate and needs of their communities.
The curriculum shows how retailers decide where to locate, what drives their real estate decisions and other important data points communities need to become chosen locations for these job creators.
“The training marked another milestone in our mission to create lasting economic impact across the county and to keep sharpening our skills,” said Dorian DeBarr, President of Decide DeKalb. “This training equips us with targeted strategies to fill retail gaps, attract complementary businesses, and enhance quality of life for our residents with jobs and sought-after shopping experiences.”
Building Expertise for Targeted Growth
In the comprehensive, daylong training program, Decide DeKalb’seconomic development and redevelopment teams learned how to analyze local consumer data, align our strategies with retail and restaurant brands, and strategically assess available real estate. Most importantly, the training focused on actionable approaches to recruiting and retaining businesses that align with DeKalb County’s unique character and community needs.
Strategic Focus on the Southern Corridor
The knowledge and strategies gained from this training will be particularly valuable as we focus our efforts on developing the southern corridor of DeKalb County. This area represents significant opportunities for commercial growth, and the data-driven approaches we’ve learned will help us make informed decisions about retail recruitment and development initiatives.
Recognition from Industry Leaders
Madeline Farr, Director of Retail Academy, praised our approach: “The Decide DeKalb team brought thoughtful engagement and a clear passion for elevating their community. They’re well positioned to leverage what they’ve learned and make meaningful progress in their retail recruitment efforts.”
Long-term Focus on Retail
This training represents just the beginning of our training with Retail Strategies. Over the next 12 months, we’ll continue to receive personalized training and a customized recruitment strategy geared toward our list of top retail business prospects. Our broader strategy is to strengthen commercial corridors, support small retail businesses, and enhance access to goods and services throughout DeKalb County. The program focuses on strengthening the retail landscape by providing training and resources necessary to attract new retailers while supporting existing local businesses.
As we apply these new strategies and tools, residents and business owners throughout DeKalb County can expect to see more targeted retail recruitment efforts, enhanced support for local retail businesses, and strategic development initiatives that truly serve our community’s needs. This investment in professional development reflects our ongoing commitment to using data-driven, best-in-class approaches to create economic opportunities that benefit all of DeKalb County.
Learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved at Decide DeKalb Development Authority.