DeKalb GA News

Recently, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson hosted the inaugural Mayors Retreat at Emory University's Miller-Ward Alumni House. This event served as a day-long working session aimed at fostering collaboration among city leaders across DeKalb County, with a focus on strategy and shared objectives.

Mayors from each municipality presented their top three priorities, engaging in discussions on housing, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, mental health, and other pertinent topics. Key areas of overlap and opportunity identified during the retreat included affordable housing development, infrastructure investment, transit planning, and support for unsheltered residents.

The gathering highlighted the need for economic revitalization, downtown development, and enhancements to public safety initiatives. Key areas also included youth engagement, job creation, and the expansion of green spaces. Participating mayors and leaders discussed various projects involving roads, sewer, water, and stormwater systems, and considered strategies to improve regional mobility and mental health services.

CEO Cochran-Johnson remarked, “When we align our goals, we can deliver more meaningful results for the people we serve,” in her closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of united leadership for community progress.

Contributions to the retreat were also made by several organizations, including DeKalb County Community Development, DeKalb County Fire Rescue, Dekalb County Watershed Management, Frontline Response, and the Decide DeKalb Development Authority.