City of Decatur

The Decatur Business Association was incorporated in 1985 to serve as the nonprofit, membership partner for the Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDDA). The DBA grew out of the existing Decatur Merchants Association, which had a membership restricted to retailers, restaurants and financial institutions. The merchants group had a small membership and no active programs. The concept for the DBA grew out of discussions with young business owners and key service industry managers who wanted to be involved in the rebirth of downtown. Bill Roth, assistant manager for the DeKalb office of Georgia Power headquartered in Decatur, John Adams, resident and local real estate agent, and Mark Dehler, resident and local attorney, were instrumental in getting the new organization off the ground. Unlike the Decatur Merchants Association, the DBA encouraged any Decatur-based business to join, opening up the opportunity to the city's large service and professional business base of attorneys, accountants, real estate agencies and insurance companies. In addition, an associate member category was created to allow residents to be a part of rebuilding downtown Decatur.