The DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee and Decide DeKalb Development Authority are pleased to share the progress of DeKalb Thrives. DeKalb Thrives is the implementation of the final list of economic development recommendations produced by approximately 100 partners and stakeholders. The plan reflects the envisioned growth, innovation and prosperity necessary to enhance DeKalb's business climate.
 
Implementation of the plan began in August of 2016. Currently, there are 70 recommendations that will be primarily implemented over a three-year period. There are 37 short-term recommendations, 12 mid-term recommendations, 13 long-term recommendations and 8 Beyond 2018 recommendations. "We have made considerable progress with the recommendations outlined in DeKalb Thrives," said Katerina Taylor, DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee Chair and DeKalb Chamber President. "Together with key partners, we implemented 90 percent of the short-term recommendations by December of 2016." The mid-term recommendations are on schedule to be implemented by the end of the year. Long-term recommendations are slated for completion by 2018.
 
The DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee provides oversight and guidance to Decide DeKalb, the organization responsible for managing this effort. The steering committee meets quarterly for plan updates and to address potential concerns. To date, the steering committee has conducted five meetings. "We have an impressive group of leaders at the table to help implement these recommendations," said Ray Gilley, President of Decide DeKalb. "Their feedback is instrumental to the success of this plan."
 
Steering Committee members include: Frederick Daniels, Jr. Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Citizens Trust Bank; Peter Dunn, General Manager, Le Meridien Hotel; Monica Maldonado, President/CEO, Interprint Communications; Bill Nichols (Vice Chair), Chief Operating Officer, Task Force for Global Health; Tyrone Rachal, President, Urban Key Capital Partners; Michael Starling, Economic Development Business Roundtable Representative and Director of Economic Development, City of Dunwoody; Katerina Taylor (Chair), President/CEO, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce; Joshua Williams, Chief Operating Officer, DeKalb County Schools; and Zach Williams, Chief Operating Officer, DeKalb County Government. Mitchell King, Metro East Region Manager, Georgia Power and Tish Szymurski, Director, Emory University, served on the committee until April 2017. Don Bolia, Chair, Decide DeKalb Development Authority Board of Directors and John Kelley, Area Manager, Georgia Power, are new steering committee members. Rolanda Daniel Thomas, Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Decide DeKalb, is staffed to the steering committee.