DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond used the phrase at his state of the county address back in March, and it's one he returns to often: "DeKalb is rising."

There are plenty of projects big and small to point to as proof, but there's also a different feeling in the county today: That people – in the public sector, the private sector, residents, business owners – are pulling together instead of in all directions.

Read the full article in Georgia Trend here.