Voice of Dunwoody’s Businesses – Atlanta Business Chronicle

The Dunwoody Business Community is one of the largest concentrations of business in the Southeast.  Colliers International statistics indicate that Dunwoody has over 8.0 Million square feet of prime office space and 4.3 Million square feet of retail space.  Dunwoody is the third largest business engine in Georgia and among the top 10 in the Southeastern United States.

Representing this business community is no small task.  The Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce is very active in working with our partners, including businesses, governments and land owners for when one succeeds we all benefit.dunwoody chamber logo

At the beginning of this year the Chamber Board was challenged to expand and develop programs in three key focus areas.  Coming from the building industry, the term Pillars was used to create the foundation for our future success and continued development.  These Pillars are interdependent with the other.

  • Focus on Members in such a way that they want to be part of the movement
  • Have a Business Development Focus
  • Have a Transportation Focus

When Businesses help each other, they and their community grow.  The Chamber has created multiple forums for businesses to help each other.  The Chamber working with the Universities in the City created a venue to bring top business leaders to Dunwoody to share their wisdom and success stories thru the Dunwoody Perimeter Coffee Connections.  The Chamber created opportunities for businesses to feature their restaurants with the First Mondays, Young Professionals and Dunwoody in Heels events.  The Perimeter Business Expo provided a showcase for local business on how they can share their talents and services.  And soon the “CEO Roundtable” in conjunction with the City of Dunwoody will bring CEOs and business leaders together to focus what each other’s organizations can do to help grow their firms and the city.

Economic Development is when new businesses establish their home in Dunwoody.  In partnership with the City of Dunwoody, the State of GA and our universities, several large and small companies have found Dunwoody and decided to locate here, bringing jobs, new home development, and support services – just to name a few benefits.  The recent announcements of companies creating over 3,000 new jobs to Dunwoody are just one result of this partnership.

Together, the City and the Chamber are developing a Business Incubator Program that will provide support and services for startup technology companies where sharing of ideas and technology could spawn great new businesses.  Many of our current household companies that affect our lives and businesses every day had their start in a business incubator.

Dunwoody’s geography plays a huge role in its success.  Located near I285/GA400/I85 along with the Marta Rail Station creates a convenient and simple hub for businesses.  Each day Dunwoody’s population grows from the 46,000 residents to over 100,000 people who come to Dunwoody from all over the Metro region to work or shop.  Clearly the ease access to our offices and shopping is not a city issue but a regional issue.  The major highway and Marta Rail Systems bring more than 100,000 people to our city each work day.

What I have learned in over 40 years of developing projects is that people will take the easiest way they can to reach a destination.  When there is a fully functioning Interstate highway system, commuters stay off local streets.  When a highway system becomes congested, commuters will find alternate routes often cutting through local streets or neighborhoods. That alone should be reason enough for Dunwoody residents to vote for the TSPLOST initiative.

The Chamber continues to be the united business voice.   We encourage all businesses to get active and play a role in your business community.  As in all organizations when you become active, you benefit far more than you contribute.  Just some thought for how you and your firm can benefit by being active in the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce:   

  • Provides a forum to promote your products and services
  • Provides the united voice for the business of Dunwoody. We work to keep our City a business friendly destination.
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with your community of Business Leaders
  • Increase your Visibility for B2B and the end consumer
  • Enhanced your business credibility with Chamber branding.
  • Learn by taking advantage of seminars and training through partnerships with educational institutions, expert speaker and trainers.

By joining and becoming active in the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce together we can create the business climate that makes a difference.

Donald Boyken is Chairman of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce.