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Decatur County Development Corporation
A man stands and gestures while speaking to a group of people seated at tables in a classroom. Papers and notebooks are on the tables, and there are posters and flags on the wall behind him.

DCLA Program Application

Interested in the Decatur County Leadership Academy? Check this page to see whether the current year’s program application is available, fill it out, and send it in. We’ll review it and let you know if you’re one of the 8 – 10 candidates that can participate.

Flyer for Decatur County Leadership Academy. Includes program mission, cost (5), timeline and session dates for 2022/2023. Highlights skill building, networking, and seven monthly sessions to develop community leaders.

Leadership Academy Welcomes 2026/2027 Cohort

The Decatur County Leadership Academy welcomed its 2026/2027 cohort with an evening of food, fun, networking, and friendly competition.

The evening featured the inaugural Battle of the Cohorts, with five challenges designed to test teamwork, communication, creativity, and Decatur County knowledge. Participants competed in a spaghetti and marshmallow building challenge, puzzle competition, Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament, Decatur County trivia, and a community challenge focused on increasing tourism in Decatur County with $20,000 and 30 days.

After a night of competition, the 2026/2027 rookie cohort came out on top! 🏆

Thank you to our Leadership Academy alumni for joining us and helping welcome the newest class. We’re excited for another great year of developing leaders and building connections throughout Decatur County!

Seven adults stand indoors, smiling and holding a banner that reads “Battle of the cohort, The Best of the Best, Decatur County Leadership Academy.” Four people are in front, three are in back, all facing the camera.
Six women sit around a table working together on a jigsaw puzzle in a room with wooden walls and a folding table in the background.
Seven adults pose behind a table with a rectangular cake that reads “Welcome DCLA Class of 2024.” Plates, utensils, and napkins are next to the cake. The group is indoors in a well-lit room.
Three people stand indoors in front of a projector screen. The person in the center holds a “Class of 2024” sign. The group smiles at the camera.
Six women stand indoors against a wooden plank wall, with one woman holding a “Class of 2026” sign. All are smiling and casually dressed.
Three women sit at a table indoors, smiling at the camera. Two hold a sign reading “Class of 2025.” Another person sits in the background. Folded chairs are stacked against the wall.
Six adults sit around a table, collaborating on a team-building activity involving uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows; chairs are stacked in the background and a mirror reflects part of the room.
Three women are smiling and working together on a team-building activity with spaghetti sticks and marshmallows at a table covered with a white cloth. Bottled water is on the table in the background.
Three people stand around a table assembling a jigsaw puzzle. A water bottle, phone, and a “Class of 2023” sign are also on the table.

Photo Galleries

See some examples of what this program is all about by clicking on one of the galleries below!

Related Pages

Program Overview
Current Participants
Alumni