So Many Organizations, But How Do You Know Who Does What in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody is home to so many organizations that it can be hard to keep track of who handles what. I see this all the time at Discover Dunwoody, where we field calls about everything from rental apartments to permitting, traffic lights on the fritz, and even buying tickets for Stage Door Theatre. We love talking to people—that's what we're here for—but I thought I could help save everyone some time by pointing you to the right place faster. So let me help clear things up with a quick guide to the major players serving our community.
The City of Dunwoody
The City of Dunwoody handles most local permitting, though a few things—like water and sewer and health inspections—still go through DeKalb County. We have our own police force, but fire services come from DeKalb, and 911 calls go to a regional center serving the northern suburbs. There's far more than I can cover here, so when in doubt, DunwoodyGA.gov is a great place to start.
Discover Dunwoody
Discover Dunwoody is where I work, and we're the official destination marketing organization for the city. We're funded by hotel taxes (it is an 8% tax and we get 3.5% of that) and our job is simple: get people to visit Dunwoody. That means promoting our hotels, parks, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. When more people visit, more jobs follow. Check out our website for local listings and our events calendar before you make weekend plans: DiscoverDunwoody.com. And be sure to follow us on all the social media platforms by searching for Discover Dunwoody.
The Perimeter Community Improvement District
The Perimeter Community Improvement District (PCID) is funded by commercial property owners who agreed to chip in together. They keep our intersections looking sharp, promote ride-sharing and transit options, host events that bring Perimeter workers into the community, and even fund road improvements. This group knows how to get things done: PerimeterATL.com.
Create Dunwoody
Create Dunwoody is a nonprofit funded by the city, the development authority, and Discover Dunwoody. They're all about building a vibrant arts and culture scene here. You've probably seen their work—the Village Holiday Celebration, the Diwali celebration, the Village Comedy Weekend, and more: CreateDunwoody.org.
The Greater Perimeter Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Perimeter Chamber of Commerce is Dunwoody's chamber of commerce. They recently joined with the Sandy Springs Chamber to form this new collective organization. Their mission is to serve the business community by offering various benefits, like healthcare options and connectivity to other businesses in Perimeter. Their website is GreaterPerimeterChamber.com.
Leadership Perimeter
Leadership Perimeter is a program designed for people who want to better understand their community and its governments. Each year, a cohort meets for a full day once a month from September through May. It's a commitment, but worth the time to learn about the workings of government, emergency services, state government, the judiciary, and regional economic issues—plus how to be a better leader. After graduation, members stay engaged through ongoing programming that keeps them connected to community changes and ways to strengthen their businesses or nonprofits. LeadershipPerimeter.org
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association (DHA) is the membership organization that helped rally the community behind cityhood. Today they host beloved events like the 4th of July parade, Food Truck Thursdays, The Farmer’s Market at Brook Run, and Light Up Dunwoody. This group also advocates for developments they believe will enhance Dunwoodians' lives. They're growing and could use new members, so consider joining: DunwoodyGA.org. See our recent interview with their leader, Tim Brown, on our YouTube channel.
The Rotary Club of Dunwoody
Finally, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody is a membership organization dedicated to serving the community through both sweat equity and, well, actual equity. They live by the slogan: “Connect, Serve, Grow”. Members meet weekly for breakfast at Maggiano's in front of Perimeter Mall, always looking for ways to help people locally and internationally. Their projects include an annual golf tournament benefiting the Georgia Alzheimer's Association and Anchor Place, turkey dinners for families over the holidays, maintaining the traffic island across Chamblee-Dunwoody from the library, sponsoring exchange students at Dunwoody High School, providing books to our elementary schools, sending medical equipment to Haiti, supporting Special Olympics, and much more. DunwoodyRotary.org
Hopefully, this helps you know who to call next time you have a question.
FAQs
Who should I contact if I have a question about living in Dunwoody?
It depends on the question. The City of Dunwoody handles most local government services like permitting and city operations, while other organizations focus on tourism, business support, arts, or community events. When in doubt, DunwoodyGA.gov is a great place to start.
What is Discover Dunwoody and what do they do?
Discover Dunwoody is the city’s official destination marketing organization. Their role is to promote Dunwoody as a place to visit by highlighting hotels, restaurants, shopping, parks, and entertainment. They are funded by a portion of the city’s hotel tax.
Who should I contact for events, things to do, or weekend plans in Dunwoody?
Discover Dunwoody is the best resource for local events, attractions, and things to do. Their website and social media channels feature event calendars, dining guides, and seasonal activities.
Who organizes arts and cultural events in Dunwoody?
Create Dunwoody leads many of the city’s arts and cultural initiatives. They organize popular events like the Village Holiday Celebration, Diwali, and comedy and music programming throughout the year.
What organization supports local businesses in Dunwoody?
The Greater Perimeter Chamber of Commerce supports businesses by offering networking opportunities, resources, and benefits such as healthcare options and business connections across the Perimeter area.
Who should I contact if I am not sure which organization handles my issue?
If you are unsure, starting with the City of Dunwoody’s website or Discover Dunwoody is often the quickest way to get pointed in the right direction.
