Posts by rkeith_rachel@dcc.org

Shops on 2nd Avenue Hosts Coffee & Cards Shops on 2nd Avenue in downtown Decatur hosted the Chamber’s fourth quarter Coffee & Cards on November 29. It was a chance for our Chamber members to network with fellow members and community leaders. It was also a great opportunity to learn more about Shops on 2nd…

New $30 million EV Training Center Will Support Auto Industry Growth (From www.madeinalabama.com) — Governor Kay Ivey announced on November 27, 2003 that Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center in Decatur that will focus on electric vehicles and emerging technologies in order to position the state’s auto industry for the next chapter…

Chamber Member Named Finalists for Alabama Small Business Awards A member of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce was recently chosen as finalists for the 2023 Alabama Small Business of the Year Awards presented by The Partnership of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) and the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). The awards…

Alabama Won’t Collect State Income Tax on Overtime Pay After January 1 Starting January 1, full-time hourly employees in Alabama will enjoy a 5% increase in compensation for hours worked beyond 40 per week, as they will no longer be subject to state income tax on overtime pay. Governor Kay Ivey signed HB217 into law in…

Workforce NOW Summit Focuses on Building a Qualified Workforce The Chamber’s 2023 Workforce NOW Summit was held on November 17 at Calhoun Community College. Keynote speaker, Donny Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Workforce Officer for the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and Executive Director of West Alabama Works, shared insights on overcoming workforce…

Breakfast & Biz Event Focuses on Workforce Retention More then 40 attendees joined us for the Chamber’s Breakfast & Biz event on November 15 at the Magnolia Room. Pam Werstler with Acorn to Oak Consulting shared strategies to enhance workforce retention and creating a thriving workplace culture. Pam also offered insights on talent attraction, legal…

Melanie Tyson Named Commodore of the Month Thank you to Habitat ReStore on Central Parkway in Decatur for hosting our monthly Commodore meeting on November 10. Commodore Admiral and Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County Executive Director Landis Griffin explained the mission of the nonprofit organization that creates affordable housing to improve the lives of…

Business Community Develops 2024 Public Policy Agenda Thanks to all who participated in our Federal Public Policy Agenda meeting on November 9. The one-hour meeting led by the Public Policy Committee provided the opportunity to review the 2023 agenda and suggest updates and revisions for the 2024 edition. The meeting focused on state issues was…

State of Education Forum Provides Updates on Local School Systems and Higher Education Partners On November 2, the Chamber hosted its annual State of Education forum featuring Athens State University Interim President Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, Calhoun Community College President Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Decatur City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Douglas, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy Head of…

ACCS Innovation Center Headquarters Opens in Decatur (News Release) More than 7,700 Alabamians have enrolled in rapid career training for in-demand jobs since the start of the Alabama Community College System’s Skills for Success courses. The engine behind the courses, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Innovation Center, opened a new headquarters in Decatur on…