News

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. Tyler Jones, owner of The RailYard, Whisk’D Café and High Point Market was named the Raymon Baker - John Cook - Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year; Mary Ila Ward, owner and president of Horizon Point Consulting, was named the Arthur Orr Young Professional of the Year; and Michael Tubbs, chief executive officer of Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, was named the Lynn C. Fowler Non-Profit Professional of the Year. The luncheon was presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union and held at the Doubletree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront.

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. The luncheon is also an opportunity to highlight three area professionals with awards honoring their contributions to the business community.

On Tuesday, Murphy Brown of Decatur was named the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Miss Athelyne C. Banks Citizen of the Year for his contributions and volunteerism in 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 regarding accomplishments of the past year. The mayor also will look ahead at the year to come for the River City – the eighth largest municipality in Alabama.

John Seymour, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, announced today that Amber Turner, the Chamber’s director of workforce development and education, will step down from her position effective March 30, to become the interim executive director of the North Alabama Workforce Development Alliance (NAWDA).

Each year, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce partners with the Morgan County Commission on a variety of initiatives, including the annual State of the County Address. The breakfast provides the Commission Chairman the opportunity to highlight the county’s progress in economic and commercial development, financial sustainability and present an “annual report” to the Chamber membership regarding the accomplishments of the past 12 months.

The Decatur–Morgan County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of Healthcare event Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 a.m., at the Doubletree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. The breakfast, which is open to the public, is presented by Decatur Morgan Hospital, Gold Sponsor Huntsville Hospital Health Systems, and will feature a special announcement about the future of healthcare in our community.

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.

On Tuesday, Crystal Brown, vice president of business and investor development, was honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award at the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce annual Women in Business Celebration at Doubletree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront.

On Wednesday, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce announced their three-part public policy agenda development schedule for the fall, giving members the opportunity to provide input on policy issues impacting Morgan County’s business community.

Excellence in Leadership, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce flagship leader development program, kicked off Aug. 30, starting the eight-month class with a group of 38 students coming from Morgan County businesses, industries, small businesses, healthcare providers, municipalities, school systems and non-profits.

The Chamber’s Quality Education Committee, in collaboration with Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Decatur City Schools, Hartselle City Schools, Morgan County Schools and the Decatur Public Library, announce the launch of “Skills for Success” – a resource to ensure parents and teachers can have conversations about what is expected of children in grades K-8.

The Chamber will host the annual State of the State Forum, providing an opportunity for Chamber members to hear about the most recently completed legislative session and plans for the future of state government. The forum will also provide an opportunity for Chamber members to have their previously submitted questions answered by the keynote speaker, Sen. Del Marsh.