News

Chamber Kicks off New Classes for Leadership Development Programs The Excellence in Leadership program is the flagship program of the Chamber’s Leadership series. The program was designed to identify, orient, develop and network existing and emerging leaders with the goal of enhancing positive growth in the area business community. The 2023-2024 class features 38 professionals…

Remembering Servant Leader Sonny Craig Longtime area civic and business leader, Irwin C. “Sonny” Craig, Jr., passed on September 24. We pause to remember our beloved community leader and some of his many contributions. Sonny served diligently on the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and as the Chairman in 1999-1998. Most recently, he served on…

More than 100 Students Enrolled at the Academy of Craft Training in Decatur More than 100 students from Decatur-Morgan County and surrounding schools are enrolled at the Academy of Craft Training. It shares the campus with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) on U.S. 31 South in Decatur. The Academy of Craft Training…

Major Tax Reform to Benefit Small Businesses (News Release) – Governor Kay Ivey announced the implementation of a major tax reform initiative to help Alabama small businesses. Effective October 1, 2023, more than 3,000 Alabama small businesses will no longer be required to pay monthly estimated sales taxes to the state Department of Revenue. “Alabama’s…

Athens State University Enrollment Increases for Fall 2023 Semester (News Release) Athens State University is pleased to announce an increase in enrollment numbers for the Fall 2023 semester. With a total of 2,955 students enrolled, the University’s headcount is up 2.1% compared to the Fall 2022 semester. Credit hour production is also up for both…

Philip Wright Named Commodore of the Month Leadership Coach Carol Beth Durbin with Durbin Leadership, LLC was the featured speaker for our monthly Commodore meeting on September 8. She spoke on leadership and motivation and the group had fun putting her tips into practice by building a paper tower. Congratulations to Philip Wright with The…

Update on the Statewide Expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (News Release) Last month, Governor Kay Ivey kicked off the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), and the response from parents and community partners across the state has been overwhelming. Sixty counties are now providing access to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. With the…

City of Decatur Hosts Second Public Meeting On Bridge Feasibility Study On August 31, The City of Decatur held a second public meeting at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion to obtain input and feedback regarding the Tennessee River Bridge Feasibility Study. Residents who attend the meeting were able to look at six possible routes for a new…

Chamber’s Excellence in Leadership Announces 2023-2024 Class Excellence in Leadership, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s adult leadership development program, kicked off this year’s class on August 31 at The Magnolia Room in Decatur. The class consists of 37 professionals from businesses, industries, healthcare providers, municipalities, colleges and non-profit organizations. Chamber members nominate individuals from…

Calhoun, NC3 and Trane Collaborate to Address Rapidly Growing Industry Demand in HVAC (News Release) Calhoun Community College, in collaboration with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) and Trane® – by Trane Technologies, hosted an open house ceremony on Tuesday, August 29. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the…