On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Council for Quality Growth, DeKalb County, and the DeKalb County Chamber hosted 800+ for the sold out 2026 State of DeKalb County Address. The annual address was held over lunch at Assembly Studios and presented by Amazon, Discover DeKalb, and The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority. Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, elected CEO of DeKalb County Government, delivered her second annual address to the county’s business community. Over 800 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of DeKalb County were in attendance Thursday.

CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson unveiled the theme of her 2026 State of the County Address, “Mission Possible: Believe the Unbelievable,” through a cinematic presentation that framed DeKalb County’s progress as a deliberate choice between accepting limitations or actively building what once seemed out of reach. She emphasized that the county is not waiting on transformation but executing it, stating that DeKalb is “not confined by what has been” and instead is focused on what can be achieved through collective will and intentional leadership.

Throughout her remarks, the CEO emphasized a unified strategy that connects economic development, infrastructure, housing, and government operations as one interconnected effort. She reinforced that progress requires partnership across government and community, noting, “The future of DeKalb County is not something government builds alone. It is something we build together,” and stressed that her administration is focused on delivery, accountability, and measurable outcomes rather than rhetoric.

The CEO emphasized economic development as central to DeKalb’s long-term trajectory, citing key assets such as DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), a strong workforce, and nine colleges and universities. She reiterated her commitment to inclusive growth and expanding opportunity across all communities, arguing that DeKalb must move beyond uneven development and instead position itself for countywide prosperity.

Cochran-Johnson described the county’s $4.7 billion water and sewer infrastructure plan as a historic investment in the systems that sustain daily life and future growth. While acknowledging the difficulty of rate increases, she emphasized the necessity of long-term planning and responsibility, stating that “we are no longer shifting blame—we are owning our condition,” and noting that the investment is essential to preventing system failure and ensuring sustainability for future generations.

Housing was also a central focus, with the CEO outlining a comprehensive strategy to increase affordability, expand homeownership, preserve existing housing, and prevent displacement. She highlighted initiatives that have created hundreds of new homeowners and investments in emergency shelter, rapid housing, and redevelopment efforts, emphasizing that housing stability is essential to economic mobility and community resilience.

She also pointed to major improvements in government operations, including modernized permitting systems, expanded performance dashboards, enhanced communications, and a redesigned county website aimed at improving transparency and service delivery. These efforts, she noted, are part of a broader shift toward a more efficient and accountable government that is easier for residents and businesses to navigate.

Closing her address, Cochran-Johnson returned to the guiding message of “Mission Possible: Believe the Unbelievable,” reinforcing that DeKalb’s progress is the result of disciplined execution and shared commitment. While acknowledging ongoing challenges, she emphasized the county’s direction is clear and forward-moving, stating, “Progress is not about perfection. It is about direction,” and emphasizing that what once seemed impossible is now actively being built.

The Council for Quality Growth works with DeKalb County and its local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. “The Council values its strong partnership with DeKalb County as we work together to advance strategic growth and infrastructure priorities,” said Michael E. Paris, President & CEO of the Council. “DeKalb continues to lead with forward-thinking development and a commitment to opportunity for all, and the Council is proud to support initiatives that drive long-term success,” said Gerald McDowell, Chairman of the Council’s Board of Directors and Executive Director of the ATL Airport CIDs. Frankie Atwater, President & CEO of the DeKalb County what the DeKalb business community already knows—that under CEO Cochran-Johnson's leadership,

DeKalb is moving with vision, urgency, and a clear sense of partnership. The Chamber is proud to stand alongside Madam CEO and her team as we translate today's priorities into real opportunity for the businesses, workers, and residents who call DeKalb home.”

The 2026 State of DeKalb also featured remarks from Commissioner Chakira Johnson, Presiding Officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, Mayor Joseph Geierman of City of Doraville, and Hilton Howell, III, Senior Business Director at Gray Media, on behalf of Assembly Studios. Danny Johnson, Managing Director of the Natural Resources Department at the Atlanta Regional Commission, provided an update on the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s regional efforts. The program also included remarks from Martha Revelo, Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs with DeKalb County. Terreta Rodgers, Head of Community Affairs – Atlanta Region with Amazon and Jevon Gibson, CEO of the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority delivered remarks, as well as a video presentation from Discover DeKalb, as presenting sponsors. The program also included video remarks from U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Dionna Smith, Chief Communications Officer at DeKalb County, introduced CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to the stage.

A photo gallery and the recording of the full event will be made in the coming days at https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/news-press/