Cultivating Momentum
Years of intentional investment have laid the groundwork for long-term growth, and that work is now taking hold.
Setting the Stage
Built for This Moment
Economic development doesn’t happen overnight. 2025 was shaped by decisions made years earlier. Long-term investments in place, people, and partnerships paid off visibly this year. Leadership remained focused, priorities sharpened, and the work stayed on track.
Lorraine
Cochran-Johnson
DeKalb County CEO
“While we are proud of the progress we have made, we are even more focused on what lies ahead.”
Letter from CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson DeKalb County Government To Our Residents, Business Leaders, and Community Partners, It is my honor to serve as CEO of DeKalb County and to share this moment with you as we continue building a stronger, more vibrant future together. From my first day in office, my focus has been clear: to lead with purpose, act with urgency, and deliver results that improve the quality of life for every resident in DeKalb County. That commitment is reflected in the progress we are making across our communities, and in the growing strength of our local economy. DeKalb County stands at a powerful intersection of opportunity. We are a county rich in diversity, talent, and innovation. A county where global businesses, small entrepreneurs, and creative industries can grow and thrive. And a county where strategic investment is driving real transformation, from infrastructure and public safety to housing, workforce development, and economic mobility. Through our partnership with Decide DeKalb, we are strengthening our ability to attract new industries, support existing businesses, and position DeKalb as a premier destination for investment in the Southeast. Together, we are creating pathways for sustainable growth that benefit not only our economy, but the people who call this county home. Economic development, for me, is not just about growth; It is about access. It is about ensuring that opportunity reaches every corner of our county. It is about supporting businesses at every stage, from startup to expansion. And it is about creating an environment where residents can live, work, and build generational wealth right here in DeKalb. We are also reimagining how local government shows up in this work. Through our Reimagine DeKalb vision, we are taking a more proactive, data-driven, and collaborative approach, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and partnership. Whether we are investing in major development projects, supporting our local business community, or preparing our workforce for the jobs of the future, we are doing so with intention and impact. None of this progress happens in isolation. It is made possible by the strength of our partnerships, with our business community, our regional and state leaders, our community organizations, and most importantly, our residents. To our business leaders: thank you for choosing DeKalb, for investing here, and for growing with us. To our residents: thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your belief in what DeKalb can become. And to the team at Decide DeKalb: thank you for your continued leadership in driving economic opportunity and telling the story of a county on the rise. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we are even more focused on what lies ahead. We are building a DeKalb that is more competitive, more inclusive, and more prepared for the future. A DeKalb where opportunity is not limited by geography. Where innovation is supported. And where every resident has a pathway to succeed. This is our moment to lead. This is our moment to grow. And together, this is our moment to Reimagine DeKalb. Thank you for being part of this journey. Sincerely, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Chief Executive Officer DeKalb County Government
Ann
Hanlon
Board Chair, Decide DeKalb
“The best of what we’re building together is still ahead.”
Dear Friends and Partners of DeKalb County, 2025 was a year that reminded us why this work matters. Across every corner of DeKalb, we saw what happens when a community commits to itself — when long-term investments in people, place, and partnerships start to pay off in ways you can see and feel. From a major corporate headquarters planting roots in Brookhaven, to cottage homes being built for first-time buyers in Decatur, to high school students meeting their future employers on a conference room floor — momentum showed up in real, tangible ways this year. What makes that momentum meaningful is who it reaches. Decide DeKalb’s work has always been about more than square footage and job numbers. It’s about making sure that growth is inclusive, that opportunity extends to every zip code, and that the businesses and residents who have always believed in DeKalb are the ones who benefit most. That commitment didn’t waver in 2025 — it deepened. As we look ahead, the foundation is strong and the direction is clear. The strategic plan is set. The partnerships are in place. The community is engaged. And the best of what we’re building together is still ahead. Ann Hanlon Board Chair, Decide DeKalb Development Authority
Dorian
DeBarr
President, Decide DeKalb
“The foundation is solid. The partnerships are strong. And we’re just getting started.”
Dear Friends and Partners, I want to ask you something. When you hear “economic development,” what do you picture? Most people picture cranes. Buildings going up. Ribbon cuttings. And yeah, that’s part of it. But that’s not what drives this work. What drives it is knowing that somewhere in DeKalb County right now, there’s a kid in a classroom whose teacher just came back from a site visit at a manufacturing facility — and that teacher is connecting what’s on the whiteboard to an actual paycheck. There’s a family in Southwest DeKalb who’s going to have a grocery store within walking distance for the first time. There’s an immigrant entrepreneur on Buford Highway who just got their first real shot at capital. That’s economic development. And that’s what 2025 was about. Since 2020, Decide DeKalb has helped bring in over $2.4 billion in investment and more than 11,000 jobs to this county. Those numbers matter. But what matters more is who those numbers reach — and whether the people who have always been here get to benefit from the growth happening around them. This past year, we approved over $6 million in TAD investments for projects that came directly from what residents said they needed. We began the important work of developing a Strategic Economic Development Plan — shaped by community engagement sessions, stakeholder interviews, and the DeKalb Economic Development Summit — because this work only holds if it’s built with the people, not just for them. And we invested in programs that gave entrepreneurs, students, and working families a real shot. The foundation is solid. The partnerships are strong. And we’re just getting started. Dorian DeBarr President, Decide DeKalb
How Momentum is Built
One County. Six Pillars. Measurable Progress.
Decide DeKalb is DeKalb County’s development authority and economic development arm. We recruit employers to the county, redevelop underutilized land, create and deploy capital to revitalize communities, preserve and expand quality housing opportunities for residents at all income levels, connect residents to career pathways, support existing businesses, and build the plans and programs that keep all of it moving forward.
We’re a public development authority, accountable to the people of DeKalb and to the businesses that choose to grow here. Our job is to make opportunity accessible, investment strategic, and growth inclusive.
How We Created Impact
In investments since 2020
Jobs created since 2020
In TAD investments approved in 2025
Where the Work Lives
Every initiative and project in 2025 was driven by strong partnerships and aligned to six areas of focus. Together, they tell the story of a county creating its own opportunity.
OUR PILLARS OF IMPACT
Redevelopment & Place-Based Growth
Investing in the Communities That DeKalb Has Always Believed In
In 2025, Decide DeKalb’s most significant work happened at the neighborhood level — where real investment met real community need. In September 2025, the board approved over $6 million in tax allocation district (TAD) investments for projects that came directly from what residents said they needed.
Candler Crossing received a $3.8 million TAD award for a Publix grocery store at 1816 Candler Road in Southwest DeKalb. Developer Venture South Investments is investing $28.9 million to bring a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store, an 11,200-square-foot multi-tenant retail building, walking trails, and a renovated MARTA bus stop to the site. One 2,000-square-foot commercial suite within the retail building will be reserved for a local business tenant at 60% of market rent, with a 10-year affordability commitment.
Candler Crossing uses a pay-as-you-go TAD structure — the developer receives reimbursements only as tax revenue is generated, meaning taxpayers are protected from upfront costs.
In TAD investments approved
Permanent jobs created
In private investment leveraged
“We’re proud to invest in this corner of DeKalb. In addition to bringing a new grocery opportunity, we’re designing a walkable, sustainable community gathering space that will benefit people in this neighborhood for decades to come.
Evan Conder, Partner at Venture South Investments
Cottages at Midway received a $2.3 million TAD award — structured as a combination of a repayable loan, grant, and forgivable downpayment assistance loan to support missing middle homebuyers — for 18 for-sale cottage homes off Columbia Drive, with 12 reserved for missing middle homebuyers and a 10-year affordability commitment.
In December 2025, the board approved a $1.2 million EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund award to Housing Development Corporation for the Willow Branch Apartments in unincorporated Clarkston. The 186-unit multifamily property is undergoing a $58 million renovation, including abatement of asbestos-containing materials. Remediation and redevelopment is slated to commence in Spring 2026 — demonstrating that brownfield sites can become genuine community assets when paired with the right investment and vision.
Lulah Hills, the transformation of the former North DeKalb Mall site, reached major milestones in 2025: the first vertical phase commenced construction, bringing a Publix to the development in early 2027; Crescent Communities closed on the first multifamily rental phase; and Empire Communities closed on the first homeownership phase, which will include 104 for-sale townhomes. New local and national retailers were announced in 2025, including Refuge Coffee, Anthropologie, and Firepit Pizza Tavern, among others.
Publix-anchored Candler Crossing will bring 183 permanent jobs the community
One retail space reserved at 60% of market rent for 5 years
Cottages at Midway bring 18 new affordable homes to the community
Business Attraction & Investment
From Infrastructure to Innovation: Industry Leaders Choose DeKalb
DeKalb County continued to attract major employers across industries in 2025 — a result of years of intentional relationship-building, strategic positioning, and strong public-private partnerships. When AIG chose DeKalb County as the site for a new innovation hub, Decide DeKalb played a key role in bringing more than 600 jobs to the region.
FlatironDragados is part of ACS Group, one of the world’s leading infrastructure organizations. The firm delivers highways, bridges, aviation systems, rail and transit, water infrastructure, and resiliency projects across the continent. Choosing Georgia — and specifically DeKalb — as the home for its executive leadership was a deliberate, strategic decision rooted in the company’s existing work in the region. The company will occupy 25,000 square feet on the top floor of Summit Four at Perimeter Summit, a 1.7-million-square-foot Class-A office campus in Brookhaven. Full occupancy is expected in Summer 2026.
In March 2025, HR solutions company TriNet selected Dunwoody for a new 150,000-square-foot corporate center — a win secured in partnership with the City of Dunwoody, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the University System of Georgia — committing to create 750 jobs and invest $15.4 million in the county over the next five years.
In recent years, Decide DeKalb has partnered to bring major employers to the county, including Hapag-Lloyd, Sugar Bowl Bakery, The Home Depot, and Assembly Studios.
In investment since 2020
New jobs created since 2020
“Locating our headquarters in Georgia is a strategic step that reflects our long-term vision. Georgia’s deep talent pool and location make it the ideal place for FlatironDragados to grow and serve clients.”
Javier Sevilla, CEO, FlatironDragados
$15.4M Investment committed to DeKalb’s economic growth
AIG’s new innovation hub creates 600+ new jobs in DeKalb
TriNet expands footprint in DeKalb with a new 150,000 Sq Ft corporate center in Dunwoody and commits 750 jobs
Global infrastructure leader, Flatiron-Dragados selects Brookhaven for U.S. headquarters
Workforce & Talent Pipeline
Building the Talent Pipeline That Powers DeKalb’s Economy
Workforce development is the connective tissue between DeKalb’s economic ambitions and the people who live here. Decide DeKalb’s workforce efforts in 2025 centered on one goal: connecting people to real careers through real opportunities. The MADE in DeKalb Fellowship gave K–12 teachers year-long exposure to local manufacturing industries through site visits, bringing classroom learning closer to the factory floor. Teacher site visits included PepsiCo, Sugar Bowl Bakery, Schneider Trucking, Georgia Tech, Georgia Power Economic Development Hub, Georgia Piedmont Technical College and WorkSource Dekalb.
On March 8, 2025, high school students packed the DeKalb Conference Center for the Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) MADE: Pathways to Success Showcase. The event — a partnership between Decide DeKalb, GPTC, and DeKalb County Schools — brought manufacturing and distribution careers to life through real-world exposure. Local employers like PepsiCo, Sugar Bowl Bakery, and Universal Steel provided hands-on demonstrations. Students ready to work could apply for jobs on site.
Active industry advisory councils
Students engaged at GPTC Showcase
Teachers in fellowship program
While these programs build early career awareness, Decide DeKalb’s workforce strategy also requires direct input from employers to ensure talent pipelines align with the industries driving DeKalb’s economy. Four Advisory Councils met throughout the year, representing Entertainment, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics, and Healthcare & Life Sciences, aligning industry voices with workforce planning and economic strategy across DeKalb. Students ready to enter the entertainment and creative industries had a pathway through the Seventh Annual Student Film Festival — hosted in partnership with RE:IMAGINE ATL and DeKalb County School District — where 12 films were screened from 37 submissions representing 15 schools. Graduates gained access to job apprenticeships and internships through RE:IMAGINE ATL.
The American Institute of Steel Construction hosted a virtual Insider Shop Talk in September featuring Universal Steel CEO Bray Bourne alongside Decide DeKalb’s Rudi Pangad and Katrina Young, discussing workforce development collaboration. Through a partnership with GPTC, DeKalb high school seniors gained access to no-cost Industry Ready Pre-Apprenticeship training in high-demand manufacturing roles, including forklift operation, OSHA 10 certification, and industrial maintenance.
“The showcase is an opportunity for students to see firsthand the rewarding careers available and how a viable living can be made from the skills industry.“
Randi Mason, EVP of Economic Development and COO at Decide DeKalb
4 Active industry councils
100+ Students engaged at the GPTC Showcase
15+ Teachers in the MADE in DeKalb Fellowship
Business Retention & Expansion
Investing in the Businesses Already Rooted in DeKalb
DeKalb’s economic strength isn’t just about attracting new employers — it’s about deepening relationships with the businesses already here and making sure they have what they need to grow. The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund provided $50,000 to $150,000 loans paired with technical assistance, offering a direct capital pathway for businesses ready to scale. Business Resources 101, a recurring free event series in partnership with the Better Business Bureau, offered workshops on workforce development, funding opportunities, and educational resources. The Supplier Development Academy, a five-session program with UGA SBDC, helped businesses obtain Local Small Business Enterprise certification and learn procurement strategies that open doors to county contracts.
CHOA and State Farm continued their significant presence in DeKalb, representing the kind of long-term employer investment the county continues to support and grow.
UPS Pleasantdale Hub modernization
Jobs retained at UPS
$50K–$150K
Small business loans available
UPS demonstrated the power of that long-term commitment in a major way: the company moved forward with a $151 million modernization of its Pleasantdale Hub — a facility that has operated in DeKalb for over 40 years — retaining 753 full-time employees and 926 part-time employees.
Investments like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reflect a long-term commitment to both economic growth and community well-being.
Programs & Community
Showing Up Where the Community Is
Economic development is most powerful when it meets people where they are. DeKalb County Economic Development Week kicked off in May 2025 with Make You Love Monday, celebrating five local businesses across the county by activating each location with free coffee and desserts for customers. The week also included a Business Resources 101 session for entrepreneurs and partners, a Brownfields Visioning Session to explore redevelopment opportunities for underutilized sites, and a Leadership DeKalb tour of Lulah Hills, highlighting one of the county’s most significant mixed-use redevelopment projects.
The South DeKalb Pop-Up Business Incubator provided space and direct support for entrepreneurs testing ideas, building community connections, and developing their businesses in one of the county’s most underserved corridors. In December 2025, Decide DeKalb partnered with MARTA to host a Holiday Market at Kensington Station, connecting local vendors with holiday shoppers and demonstrating that economic development doesn’t have to feel formal to be impactful.
Businesses in DeKalb Black Business Guide
Major public engagement events
Economic development works best when it’s visible, accessible, and rooted in the places where people already gather.
Community engagement is not a checkbox — it’s the foundation of everything Decide DeKalb does. The programs and events of 2025 were built around the belief that economic development works best when it’s visible, accessible, and rooted in the places where people already gather.
The DeKalb Black Business Guide — launched in 2024 and featuring over 100 Black-owned businesses across business support, retail, food and dining, and nonprofits — continues to provide residents a resource and gave businesses visibility. The DeKalb Diversity Decal (D3) program, introduced at the launch event at Granite House Lofts in Stone Mountain, gave participating businesses a physical marker of community recognition to display at their locations.
The South DeKalb Pop-Up Business Incubator provided space and direct support for entrepreneurs testing ideas, building community connections, and developing their businesses in one of the county’s most underserved corridors. The MARTA Holiday Market at Kensington Station on December 11, 2025 brought that same energy of community commerce to a high-traffic transit hub — connecting local vendors with holiday shoppers and demonstrating that economic development doesn’t have to feel formal to be impactful.
Equitable Economic Development
Expanding Access to Capital and Opportunity Across DeKalb
DeKalb’s diversity is one of its greatest economic strengths — and equitable economic development means making sure every entrepreneur, regardless of background or zip code, has access to the tools they need to grow. Decide DeKalb invested $100,000 in Global DeKalb, partnering with the International Rescue Committee to provide technical assistance to immigrant-owned businesses across the county, with a particular focus on the Buford Highway and Clarkston/Memorial Drive corridors. Any immigrant-owned business in DeKalb County is eligible to participate in the program.
As part of Black Business Month, Decide DeKalb launched The Business of Us, a storytelling-driven initiative designed to spotlight South DeKalb entrepreneurs and the businesses shaping their communities. The campaign culminated in an event that brought together business owners, residents, and partners to celebrate local entrepreneurship and increase visibility for businesses rooted in South DeKalb.
To support long-term economic growth in South DeKalb, Decide DeKalb also advanced the South DeKalb Corridor Study, helping identify opportunities to strengthen commercial corridors, attract investment, and ensure future development aligns with community needs.
Invested in Global DeKalb
Key immigrant business corridors supported
The We Bridge You Grow program, developed in partnership with the City of Doraville and Decide DeKalb, brought entrepreneurs together to explore access to capital and opportunities for growth.
Through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partnership, businesses across the county received one-on-one consulting, training, and resources to help them start, grow, and succeed.
Equitable economic development means closing the gaps — in capital, in support, and in opportunity.
2025 Financials
Total Assets
$11,261,825
Current assets: $10,923,075
Non-current assets: $338,750
Total Liabilities
$1,441,940
Current liabilities: $1,240,049
Non-current liabilities: $201,891
Total Net Position
$9,819,885
Net investment in capital assets: $2,290,667
Unrestricted: $7,556,333
Total Operating Revenues
$3,855,031
Intergovernmental operating allocation: $2,702,371
Annual administrative fees: $603,408
Application fees: $46,230
Issuer fees: $207,089
Rental income: $24,876
Other fees and charges: $271,057
Total Operating Expenses
$4,416,497
Salaries, wages, bonuses: $1,870,375
Employee benefits & payroll taxes: $389,243
Advertising & public relations: $35,903
Community initiatives & sponsorships: $60,297
Business & economic development: $627,031
Consulting services: $616,800
Dues & subscriptions: $77,349
Insurance: $32,937
Professional services: $170,058
Rent & utilities: $69,126
Travel & meetings: $19,649
Other administrative expenses: $127,433
Depreciation & amortization: $320,296
Total Non-operating Expenses
$1,170,648
Change in Position
$609,182
These financial statements have not been subject to an audit, review, or compilation engagement, and no assurance is provided on them.
Our Stewardship
Leadership Evolved. Work Continued.
Ann Hanlon
Board Chair
Dorian DeBarr
President & CEO
Sunny Anderson
Director, Economic Development
Courtney Hayes
Executive Assistant to the President
Shelbia Jackson
Director, DeKalb Entertainment Commission
Geoffrey Loften
Equitable Economic Development Program Manager
Randi Mason
EVP, Economic Development & COO
Amanda McAbee
Director, Finance & Accounting
Katelin McClure
Economic Development Coordinator
Rudi Pangad
Workforce Program Manager
Diana Pitcher-Williams
Manager, Redevelopment & Strategic Initiatives
Laura Ramos
Marketing Manager
Justin Roberson
Business Retention & Expansion Coordinator
Bronwyn Stallcup
Production Manager, DeKalb Entertainment Commission
Terra Washington
VP, Marketing & Communications
Jenee Williams
HR Coordinator/Office Manager
Tiffany Wills
VP, Redevelopment & Strategic Initiatives
Katrina Young
Business Retention & Expansion Manager
Our Board
Jim Durrett
Glianny Fagundo
Andrew Greenberg
Cornell McBride, Jr.
Ansly Moyer
Legal Counsel
Stephen Smith
Dr. Triscilla Weaver
Our Time is Now
The Roots Are Down. Now We Grow.
Years of intentional investment have laid the groundwork for long-term growth, and that work is now taking hold. The real payoff is what comes next. The systems are in place. The partnerships are strong. The community is engaged. The opportunities are ready to scale.
A Strategic Economic Development Plan built with public input. Workforce pipelines connecting residents to real careers. Redevelopment frameworks turning underserved sites into assets. Business attraction strategies aligned to DeKalb’s competitive strengths.
More TAD investmentsMore employer partnershipsMore business wins that put DeKalb on the national stageMore community engagement.
Gratitude & Collective Impact
This Work Belongs To All Of Us
This progress happens with our people, our community. Partners who invest. Businesses that take a chance. Residents who engage. Leaders who push. Communities that believe. 2025 was proof that when everyone is aligned on strategy, momentum compounds. We’re just getting started.
Stay connected. Stay engaged. Stay invested in DeKalb’s future. The work ahead is just as important as the work we’ve done.