The Facebook Data Center coming to DeKalb will be a lasting impact for many years to come. In addition to Facebook’s investment of $800 million into a 907,000-square-foot facility, the 12^th Facebook Data Center in the United States, the Facebook DeKalb Data Center also brings additional support to the community.

Working with the DeKalb Chamber to provide some financial support for local small businesses, Facebook has pledged $10,000 towards the Small Business Member Assistance Fund. The DeKalb Chamber’s Small Business Members Assistance Fund provides assistance to local small businesses that are up against challenges never seen. The funds can be used for expenses that a small business would normally incur, including expenses such as membership dues, promotional e-blasts, sponsorships, program registration, and event registrations. The funds can be requested by completing a simple form found on the DeKalb Chamber website (www.DeKalb.org) and are reviewed on a weekly basis as long as funds are available.

“Since breaking ground on our DeKalb Data Center in June, we’ve been so fortunate to call DeKalb County home,” said Matt Sexton, Community Development Regional Manager for Facebook. “We are excited to end 2020 by supporting local small businesses and the great work of our local partners. We look forward to building and expanding our partnerships in DeKalb County for many years to come.”

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has been promoting DeKalb County globally and bringing companies like Facebook to our community. In an effort to expedite the funds to the local small businesses, the DCEDC will be working with Facebook and the DeKalb Chamber to make these funds available as quickly as possible which is a testament to the continued and collaborative efforts of the DeKalb County UNITES small business COVID-19 response initiative.

If any business or individual would like to contribute to the DeKalb Chamber Small Business Member Assistance Fund, contact the Chamber office to make your donation to help local small businesses through this challenging time.

For more information visit dekalb.org or contact the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at 815-756-6306.