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 Headshot Jimmy 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 Headshot Jami 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:
Tennessee Valley Authority	Warren Hicks 256-430-4804	www.tvasites.com/
DeKalb County Commission	Ricky Harcrow 256-845-8500	www.dekalbcountyal.us
City of Fort Payne Alabama	Mayor Brian Baine 256-845-1524	https://fortpayne.org

Gold Members

Member:	Contact Info:	Website:
Fort Payne Improvement Authority	Mike Shirey 256-845-0671	www.fpia.com
Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative	Mark Malone 256-638-2153	www.smec.coop
Fort Payne Water Works Board	Brandon Light 256-845-0449	www.fortpaynewater.com