News

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.

Excellence in Leadership, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce flagship leader development program, kicked off Aug. 29, starting the eight-month class with a group of nearly 40 students coming from Morgan County businesses, industries, small businesses, healthcare providers, municipalities, school systems and non-profits.

John Seymour, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, announced today that Louise Brown, the Chamber’s director of community development and public policy, will step down from her position in late August to join the staff of the Home Builders Association of Alabama in Montgomery as their education specialist.

Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Seymour announced today Crystal Brown will assume the position of vice president of development for the Chamber, where she will address our area’s residential growth needs as part of the organization’s “The Partnership” initiative.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce announced today the addition of Amber Fortenberry as director of talent development and recruitment, effective June 18.

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.