Newcomers Guide & Dekalb Chamber Membership
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE & DEKALB CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY2015 This is DeKalbDeKalb Chai Pani Indulge at dining A destinations Shop at unique boutiques Sq/Ft Wine Workshop & Brew Center Sip couture Squash Blossom and Worthmore Jewelers cocktails and local craft brews Celebrate during our year- round festivals Z ip around Atlanta from three Farm Burger Boogaloos Boutique convenient MARTA stations Shopping on Sycamore St. Concerts on the Square up your Leon’s Full Service Buzz business in a creative office space Live local in a lively community Walk to nearly everything colorful, connected, G e t t h e i n s i d e s c o o p o n l o c a l quirky-cool f a v e s a n d w e e k e n d g e t a w a y s Spend some quality time in Decatur and enjoy the wonderful, walkable, inviting indie scene around town. DECATURVisitors Center Use Decatur as your Atlanta launchpad or make an 113 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 adventure out of our 200+ independently owned 678-615-0915 • Tues.-Sat. 10 am- 4 pm visitdecaturgeorgia.com shops, services and restaurants, and year-round events. Contents Welcome to DeKalb ...................... 5 DeKalb at a glance .......................6 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Two Decatur Town Center DeKalb: Education ...................... 10 125 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 235 Decatur, GA 30030 DeKalb: Libraries............. ............ 14 www.DekalbChamber.org Moving to DeKalb ....................... 15 Carolyn Glenn.............................................. Publisher Dr. Earl Glenn ....................... ..Chief Financial Officer Things to do in DeKalb .............. 16 John Hewitt .............................Chief Operating Officer Andrew Cauthen ................................ Managing Editor DeKalb: Living ............................. 19 Daniel Beauregard................ ....... Contributing Writer r Carla Parker .................................... Contributing Writer DeKalb: Health & Wellness.........20 Travis Hudgons .............................. Graphic Designer Photography by John Hewitt and Travis Hudgons DeKalb: Government ..................24 Supplement to The Champion Newspaper and DeKalb: Economic Development ... 25 The Champion Free Press. Published by ACE III Communications, Inc. and Membership Directory ................28 The Champion Newspaper, P. O. Box 1347 Decatur, GA 30030. (404) 373-7779. www.TheChampionNewspaper.com DEKALB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • www.dekalbchamber.org | 33| Interim Chief Executive Officer District 4 Human & Community Development Department Lee May Sharon Barnes Sutton Board of Commissioners District 5 Phone: (404) 286-3308 District 1 Lee May Vacant Fax: (404) 286-3337 District 6 District 2 Kathie Gannon Jeff Rader District 7 District 3 Stan Watson Larry Johnson Homeownership Information & Resources Te DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department provides affordable homeownership opportunities for low-to- moderate income households in DeKalb County through a comprehensive delivery of information, programs, deferred loan assistance, workshops, and neighborhood resources. Te County’s Single Family Housing Programs supports DeKalb homeowners through programs and strategic partnerships with HUD Approved counseling agencies that provide pre-and post-purchase counseling and consultation that assists homeowners in avoiding mortgage delinquency and foreclosure, and financial literacy for individuals and families seeking budget, c redit, and asset building guid- ance. Te County also administers the First ime Homebuyers Program Down Payment Assistance Program that assists homebuyers who have not owned a home during that last three years. An eligible applicant with a credit score of 620 or above can receive up to $8,000 toward down payment and closing costs. Successful applicants must meet maximum income guidelines, be credit-worthy, participate in homeownership pre-purchase counseling, and purchase a single-family detached home anywhere in DeKalb County, outside the city limits of Atlanta. Eligible Applicants: First-time homebuyers Eligible Property: Single family detached homes in DeKalb County Program Highlights: Deferred loan assistance for required down payment and closing costs up to $8,000 Assistance for households with income up to 80% AMI Minimum homebuyer contribution of one percent (1%) of the purchase price Maximum loan amount $160,000 Special considerations for First Responders [Police, Fire, Medical], DeKalb County and DeKalb Public School Employees, Military Veteranss First-ime Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program – Income Eligibility (2014) Household Size (# (# of Persons) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 88 Income Max (80% AMI) $36,050 $41,200 $46,350 $51,500 $55,650 $59,750 $63,900 $68,000 For additional information regarding Down Payment Assistance program participation and eligibility or for future programming infor- mation, contact DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department (404) 286 3308, visit us at www.dekalbcountyga. gov,or contact a participating HUD approved counseling agency listed below. D & E Group, Urban League of Greater Atlanta Resources for Residents and Communities A Financial Education & raining Institute, Inc. (404) 659-1150 (404) 525-4130 ext. 17 (770) 961-6900 Te Center for Pan Asian Community Services Greenforest Community Development Corporation (770) 936-0969 (404) 486-5768 DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiativee Te DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative (DSNI) is a community based initiative to improve the “quality of life” in DeKalb County neighborhoods. Launched in 2012, the initiative focuses on the communities surrounding Columbia, Cross Keys, McNair and owers High Schools. Te DSNI is driven by neighborhood residents and leaders who are committed to improving the quality of life standards within local communities with a special emphasis on education, youth, housing and the overall physical environment in which they live through the development of Quality of Life (QOL) Plans. Te QOL plans foster stronger connections between local schools and community building initiatives, creating the neighborhood’s vision of a prosperous, economically viable and sustainable community. Emory University’s Community Building and Social Change Fellowship Program provides technical assistance, training and capac- ity building in support of this effort. Tis work would not be possible without their continued partnership. DeKalb County Human and Community Development oversees the program and is working with other County departments, DeKalb County Schools, steering com- mittee members as well as local partners drawn from the private, nonprofit and faith sectors to bring the plans to life. Continued support and collaboration among participants is critical to the success of the Initiative. Te DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative is actively involved in implementation of the community strategies outlined in the Quality of Life Plans developed by the Columbia, Cross Keys, McNair and owers Clusters. Te community leaders are actively seek- ing engagement from all residents, businesses and other stakeholders. For more information on the DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative and upcoming events contact Rodney Reese at (404) 286-3352 or [email protected] 4 ||4 2015 Newcomers Guide & DeKalb Chamber Membership Directory new home. A diverse community We are committed to helping grow with a rich history, DeKalb County the community and bring new, is a premiere location for growing innovative businesses to DeKalb families, young professionals and County that will only enhance your those looking for a place to retire. experience. As businesses prosper, This comprehensive guide will the community as a whole will give you an inside look into all prosper. We are excited to bring DeKalb County has to offer. From new energy to DeKalb County with leisure and relaxation to culture vitality, intensity and fortitude. and entertainment, to thriving It is our pleasure to welcome you, communities and an admired your family and your business to the location for businesses of any size, community. Thank you for making our great community has it all. I DeKalb County your home! believe you will find our outstanding DeKalb Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Katerina Taylor. Photo by David Fisher healthcare services, exceptional Katerina Taylor higher educational, bioscience Welcome! On behalf of the and research institutions to be a DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, wonderful asset. our Board of Directors, members The DeKalb Chamber of and the community as a whole, Commerce is here to serve as your we are extremely excited that you business advocate, community DeKalb Chamber of Commerce have made DeKalb County your liaison and educational resource. President & CEO 2015 Chamber Initiatives Business Now: community involvement in order to enhancement benefit that offers A small business cannot afford strengthen the community’s ability to a down payment grant for DeKalb to have aging receivables. DeKalb attract and retain young professionals County businesses to offer their Chamber partners with NOWaccount® to live, work, play and stay in DeKalb employees who desire to purchase a to provide small businesses with County. home in DeKalb County. affordable growth capital. Digital Directory: Save Local Now: Women Executive Leaders A digital membership guide that Locals and tourists alike can use of DeKalb (WELD): functions as a marketing tool for Save Local Now to access deals, WELD is a global gateway of DeKalb Chamber members. This events and savings where they shop, multicultural