Economic Development

At the heart of the Metro Atlanta region, DeKalb County has considerable economic development assets to attract new businesses and entrepreneurs.  The County is home to leading research institutions like Emory and the CDC, a highly educated workforce, strong international diversity, and burgeoning employment centers.  Easy access to rail and bus transit, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, Peachtree DeKalb Airport, and three major interstates provides connectivity locally, regionally, and internationally.

 

To foster economic development and job creation, DeKalb County is responsible for the following:

 

•   Create and maintain infrastructure to support residents and businesses

•   Provide the highest level of customer service

•   Ensure county policies are business-friendly

 

On March 27, 2014, the Board of Commissioners of DeKalb County approved a five-year Intergovernmental Agreement with the Development Authority of DeKalb County (DADC) that designates the Authority as the County’s economic development agency.  Decide DeKalb acts as the economic development arm of DeKalb County, and serves as the driving force to attract, expand, and retain businesses in the County.  Decide DeKalb’s work program is guided by DeKalb County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. 

 

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the Economic Development Strategic Plan in 2014.  Informed by a robust stakeholder engagement process, the plan outlines dozens of specific recommendations informed by best practices to help the County attract growth and development.  The Plan is organized into three strategic objectives:

 

•   Improve Business Climate

•   Revitalize Commercial Corridors and Employment Centers

•   Enhance Quality of Place

 

As recommended in the Strategic Plan, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an Economic Development Incentives Policy that enables the administration to offer qualifying developments fee waivers and reductions for building permits, land development permits, and business licenses, as well as matching funds for water and sewer infrastructure improvements.