News

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Partners-In-Education program links area businesses and industries with schools in Decatur, Hartselle and Morgan County to provide educational opportunities for the students and increase the awareness of area businesses and industries. Partnerships also heighten awareness of present and future job needs, help improve the education of future employees and customers, and increases understanding of the quality and needs of public school systems, whose health is vital to the community's economic well-being.

The Chamber’s long-time student leadership program Edge is prepared to welcome 34 high school students Aug. 20 from across Morgan County as the school year begins.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce will put on three events to celebrate and educate new teachers in our area.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce 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 members of the Morgan County Delegation.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce will host the Summer Welding & Electrical Technology (SWeETy) Camp for 9th – 12th grade girls from area schools. The goal is to offer girls an opportunity to learn hands-on about technical skills that can lead to high-paying, satisfying careers in high growth industries.

On Tuesday, 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 business community.

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.

On Tuesday, Jim Odom of Decatur was presented the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Miss Athelyne C. Banks Citizen of the Year award for his contributions and volunteerism to the community.

The Chamber’s annual State of the City Address provides the Decatur mayor an opportunity to highlight the city’s progress in economic development, quality of life services and present an “annual report” to the membership and business community regarding accomplishments of the past year.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce annual State of Healthcare address on the main campus of Decatur Morgan Hospital will provide a showcase for the business community to learn about the more than $50 million in renovations and updates to the facility.

The Decatur–Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of Decatur City Schools event highlights the partnership between the Chamber and the Decatur system – the largest in Morgan County. Superintendent Dr. Michael Douglas will address a wide range of topics impacting our area students, including updates on building projects, workforce development and his vision for the school system of more than 8,600 students.

The Decatur–Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of Morgan County Schools event highlights the partnership between the Chamber and the system – featuring 7,800 students at 18 schools in Morgan County.

Under the leadership of co-chairs Decatur City Council member Chuck Ard and State Rep. Terri Collins of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s Quality Education Committee, the Chamber’s Starting Strong
pre-K initiative has added 29 new pre-K classrooms in Morgan County since 2012 thanks to funding secured through the State of Alabama and local private fundraising. That effort brings the current number of classrooms up to 40 for the 2018-2019 school year, serving approximately 720 four-year-olds.

Tami Reist, president and chief executive officer of Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, was honored today with the ATHENA Leadership Award at the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual Women in Business Celebration at Doubletree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront.