Excellence in Leadership, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce flagship leader development program, kicked off Aug. 30, starting the eight-month class with a group of 38 students coming from Morgan County businesses, industries, small businesses, healthcare providers, municipalities, school systems and non-profits.

The Chamber’s Quality Education Committee, in collaboration with Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Decatur City Schools, Hartselle City Schools, Morgan County Schools and the Decatur Public Library, announce the launch of “Skills for Success” – a resource to ensure parents and teachers can have conversations about what is expected of children in grades K-8.

The Chamber will host the annual State of the State Forum, providing an opportunity for Chamber members to hear about the most recently completed legislative session and plans for the future of state government. The forum will also provide an opportunity for Chamber members to have their previously submitted questions answered by the keynote speaker, Sen. Del Marsh.

On Thursday, three area professionals were honored by the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce at the annual Small Business Awards Celebration for their innovation, creativity and commitment to our city’s quality of life.

The Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards Celebration event recognizes the contributions of small business to the local and national economies and honors business leaders in our community. Approximately two of every three new jobs created in our economy are created by small businesses, and more nearly 80 percent of the Chamber’s members are small businesses.