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About DCEDA

DeKalb County Economic Development Authority (DCEDA) recruits new businesses and provides ongoing support for existing businesses located in DeKalb County. The authority can help businesses by providing statistical information, assisting with incentives and assistance programs for new and expanding businesses and providing businesses support programs for existing businesses (Industry Resources). For site selection or business assistance, please contact the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority staff at 888-421-7957.


Staff

Jimmy Durham, Executive Director

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JDurham HeadshotJimmy Durham has served as the Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority since its inception in 1994. A native of DeKalb County, he has been involved in economic development throughout his career. Jimmy served on the Fort Payne City Schools Board of Education for 20 years and has served as an adjunct professor in Business for the past 32 years at Northeast Alabama Community College. Jimmy graduated from Auburn University with a BS Degree in Marketing and Transportation and a Master’s Degree in Business.

He was employed for 16 years with Ladd Engineering and Ladd Environmental Consultants as a planner, grants writer, marketing director. Between 1986 and 1989, he served as the Executive Director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals and was responsible for the design and funding of the Museum. In 1989, Jimmy moved to Montgomery to take the appointment as Program Manager for the Alabama International Airport Study and later became the first Executive Director of the Alabama International Airport Authority. In 1994, Jimmy moved back to DeKalb County to serve as the Executive Director of the newly formed DeKalb County Economic Development Authority.

Jimmy has served on the Fort Payne City Council and served two terms as President of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of Leadership Alabama, a graduate of the Tennessee Valley Authority Rural Leadership Institute and the Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Training Course.

Awarded: 2014 David R. Echols Distinquished Service Award from the Alabama Department of Commerce

Jimmy's Membership in Professional Organizations includes:
  • Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA)
  • North Alabama Industrial Development Association (NAIDA)
  • TVA’s Rural Economic Development Cabinet
  • Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA)
  • Alabama Germany Partnership (AGP)
  • Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)
  • Southeast US/Japan Association
  • DeKalb Jackson Industrial Development Authority (DJIDA)

 


 Jami Posey, Business Retention & Expansion Director

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PClay HeadshotJami started with the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority in August 2022. Responsibilities include developing and implementing an existing industry support program, provide assistance with expansion projects, tax abatements, incentives, available training programs, workforce development, marketing, social media, DCEDA website, public relations, community outreach, project research, accounting, building operations, and other administrative duties.

A Fort Payne native, Jami graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing within the UAB School of Business. She is a graduate of the Auburn University GEDI Intensive Economic Development Training Course. She serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Fort Payne Optimist Club and a committee member of the DeKalb County Rising Leaders. 

Awarded: 2015 The Times-Journal "40 Under 40" 

Jami's Membership in Professional Organizations includes:
  • North Alabama Industrial Development Association (NAIDA)
  • Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA)

 

 


Board of Directors

Name/Location

Role Appointed By
Dr. John Anderson, DMD
Rainsville, AL
Chairman Mayors Association
Mike Shirey, PE PMP
Fort Payne Improvement Authority
Fort Payne, AL. 
Vice Chairman / EEO Officer City of Fort Payne
Mark Malone, CEO
Sand Mountain Electric Coop
Rainsville, AL. 

Secretary/Treasurer

Legislature
Chris Bryant, COO
Farmers Telecommunication Coop
Rainsville, AL. 
  County Commission
Chip Kerby
Marble Works USA
Henagar, AL
  County Commission
David Killian
Killian & Cushen, PC
Fort Payne, AL
  Legislature
Danny Lacey
Fyffe, AL. 
  Legislature

Sustaining Members

Platinum Members

  Member: Contact Info: Website:
TVA
Tennessee Valley
Authority

Warren Hicks

256-430-4804

www.tvasites.com/
DeKalbCountyCommission
DeKalb County
Commission

Ricky Harcrow

256-845-8500

www.dekalbcountyal.us
CityOfFP.jpg
City of
Fort Payne Alabama

Mayor Brian Baine

256-845-1524

https://fortpayne.org

Gold Members

  Member: Contact Info: Website:
 FPIA2
Fort Payne
Improvement Authority

Mike Shirey

256-845-0671

www.fpia.com
 SandMountain
 Sand Mountain
Electric Cooperative

Mark Malone

256-638-2153

www.smec.coop
FPWWB2
Fort Payne Water
Works Board

Brandon Light

256-845-0449

www.fortpaynewater.com

Silver Members

  Member: Contact Info: Website:
MarshallDeKalbElectric 
Marshall - DeKalb 
Electric Cooperative

Scott Bobo

256-593-4262

www.mdec.org

Bronze Members

   Member: Contact Info: Website:
FTC 2 
Farmers
Telecommunications
Cooperative 

Fred Johnson

256-638-2144 

 www.farmerstel.com

 

GIGCountry
 

CONTACT US

2414 Airport Road West Fort Payne, AL. 35968-3316 | P.O. Box 680941 Fort Payne, AL 35968

1.888.421.7957 | 256.845.7957 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.