Decide DeKalb representative Dorian DeBarr told the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole on Aug. 19 that the economic development agency had produced 880 new jobs, retained 111 jobs and recorded roughly $21 million in new capital investment through the first two quarters of 2025.

The presentation covered multiple initiatives including a newly launched small-business revolving loan fund (pre-application phase), a creative-district strategic planning process for south DeKalb, a growing redevelopment pipeline, and workforce partnerships, including a new workforce program manager on staff. DeBarr said the loan fund will offer loans starting at $50,000 up to $150,000 and provide technical assistance alongside lending.

Why it matters: Decide DeKalb’s report indicates measurable economic activity and shows the agency expanding tools — loans, technical assistance, master planning — intended to retain businesses and spur redevelopment in underinvested parts of the county. Commissioners pressed for clearer governance and public input structures for Tax Allocation District oversight before the agency moves forward with advisory committees and district plans.

DeBarr said the agency hosted two community open houses to gather input for the county-wide strategic economic development plan due through 2030, and that consultants KB Advisors; HR&A with Southern Equity; and Moody Nolan are working on the creative-district planning. He described broad public engagement efforts, a “Made in DeKalb” pre-apprenticeship partnership with the DeKalb County School District, and marketing initiatives around projects including Lula Hills.

Commissioners asked specific questions about the small-business loan fund and TAD governance. Commissioner Ladina Bolton noted small businesses’ role in neighborhoods and asked whether Decide DeKalb had considered an emergency small-business relief program; DeBarr said the idea was preliminary but that the agency could manage such a program if the Board supplied capital and policy direction. Commissioner Nicole Messiah and others requested follow-up about Lula Hills and potential replication at the South DeKalb Mall site.

The meeting moved from the presentation into a detailed discussion of proposed Tax Allocation District advisory committees ("TADACs"). Commissioners Michelle Long Spears and Ted Terry referenced earlier material in the meeting packet: a joint June 23, 2023 letter requesting TAD advisory committees, a draft dated April 8, 2025 from Decide DeKalb describing purpose and structure, and an Aug. 15, 2025 memo from County Attorney Matthew Welch that raised five points and solicited commissioner feedback. County Attorney materials from Vivian Ernst (documents dated March 29, 2024 and Jan. 24, 2025) were also cited and circulated during the meeting.

Several commissioners emphasized the committees should include district representation and public input because TAD decisions often affect neighborhood projects and tax bases. DeBarr described the TADACs as advisory: Decide DeKalb remains the county’s redevelopment agent, its board of directors makes governing decisions, and TADAC feedback would inform, but not supersede, board or county-level approvals. Commissioner Michelle Long Spears asked Decide DeKalb and staff to reconcile Welch’s legal recommendations with the draft committee structure and circulate an updated proposal.

There was no formal vote to establish the advisory committees at the Aug. 19 meeting. Instead, commissioners and staff agreed to circulate documents, hold follow-up briefings and schedule a future presentation specifically on the TAD advisory committees so commissioners can review the draft language and the counsel’s suggestions in advance.

Ending: Decide DeKalb said it will circulate the full set of TAD advisory committee documents and work with county administration to schedule a subsequent discussion. Commissioners asked staff and Decide DeKalb to coordinate so that district representation, any overlaps with 13(a) appointment rules, and the roles of the CEO and school district are resolved before the committees are finalized.