DeKalb County is located in Northeast Alabama, less than two and a half hours from over six major Southeastern markets. I-59 runs through the county, and DeKalb is also close to I-20, I-24, I-65, and I-75. The county’s ideal location has made it a popular choice for distribution companies, automotive suppliers, and other manufacturers. Residents of DeKalb County benefit from the county’s close proximity to large cities while enjoying a lower cost of living.

Fort Payne City Schools offers 9 of the 16 nationally recognized career clusters with 13 different programs within those 9 clusters. Fort Payne High School is in the process of beginning a Youth Apprenticeship program. This program will allow 16 and 17 year-old students the opportunity to gain job training and dual high school and college credit while they work in local industries. Fort Payne City Schools (fpcsk12.com)

 

DeKalb County School System is home to the award winning DeKalb County Technical Center. Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) awarded DeKalb County Technical Center the James E. Bottoms Pacesetter award that recognize schools that use High Schools That Work (HCTW) key practices to transform teaching and learning and motivate students to succeed in college, careers and life. With support from an Alabama State Department of Education career coaching effort, DCTC’s counselors are partnering with business, community and post secondary partners to educate students and parents about careers. DeKalb County Board of Education (dekalbk12.org)

 

Northeast Alabama Community College is a two-year postsecondary educational institution that serves both DeKalb and Jackson Counties.  It is located approximately 13 miles from Fort Payne on Alabama Highway 35 on the Jackson-DeKalb County line. NACC has several DOL Registered programs in DeKalb County. They have Machining, Industrial Maintenance, Construction and are adding more.