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Community Engagement

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Community engagement is a key part of how DeKalb County government stays connected to the people it serves. Through town halls, community meetings, public forums, and special events, Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson provides opportunities for residents to learn more about county initiatives, share feedback, and stay informed about issues impacting their neighborhoods.This page features information about upcoming meetings and events hosted by the CEO, along with highlights and resources from past engagements. These opportunities help strengthen collaboration between county leadership and the community, ensuring residents remain an important part of the conversation as DeKalb County moves forward together.

Data Center Town Hall
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DeKalb County hosted a standing-room-only town hall to help residents better understand the rapid expansion of data centers and what it means for their communities. Led by DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, along with Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson (District 5) and Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton (Super District 7), the event was designed to inform the public at a critical moment as the County maintains a temporary moratorium on new data center approvals through December 2025.

Did you miss the Data Center Town Hall?

Industry experts walked residents through the real impacts of data centers, including energy consumption, infrastructure strain, economic development, AI growth, and land use. Many attendees shared they came in unsure of how data centers operate but left with clarity and a stronger voice in the planning process. The town hall marked a key step in ensuring residents are not just affected by growth but actively included in shaping it.

 

Third Quarter 2025 Town Hall

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson hosted the 2025 State of the County: Third Quarter Town Hall, bringing residents, county leaders, and community partners together for an evening of transparency, collaboration, and shared progress.

The Town Hall served as a platform to reflect on accomplishments during the first eight months of the administration and outline priorities for the months ahead. Residents learned about efforts to build a smarter, stronger, and more connected county that centers the needs and voices of its people.

Did you miss the Third Quarter Town Hall?

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2025 DeKalb County Small Business Summit
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DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson hosted the 2025 DeKalb County Small Business Summit at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, drawing hundreds of entrepreneurs and community leaders. Co-hosted by Decide DeKalb and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted strategies for navigating uncertain economic times, securing funding, and doing business with the County. With dynamic sessions, a keynote from James “Jay” Bailey, and strong sponsorship support, the summit provided valuable networking and reaffirmed DeKalb’s commitment to making small business success a top priority.

“Small businesses are the backbone of DeKalb’s economy. We are committed to ensuring entrepreneurs have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”  – CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson

Did you miss the 2025 Small Business Summit?  

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