The chairman of Dunwoody’s Chamber of Commerce says some businesses in the Perimeter area don’t realize they are within the city limits. Brent Morris said that’s why the Dunwoody chamber has changed its name to Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber.
“A lot of the Perimeter Mall area business owners weren’t aware they are in Dunwoody,” Morris said. “This helps them understand the fact that they’re in Dunwoody and we’re here to help them.”
Morris said he knows Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul wants area chambers to join forces, but Morris doesn’t agree.
“I know Rusty has been talking about a one point of contact for business retention and attraction in the Perimeter,” Morris said. “I’m very aware of that and Rusty is entitled to his opinion, but chambers are not owned by cities. They are nonprofits and act independently.”
Morris said he is currently focused on collaboration between the two chambers. “I don’t see an advantage to combining them,” Morris said.
The idea to change names came before the board in the first quarter of the year, Morris said, and they launched the website and new logo July 1.
Morris said the Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber plans to move in August into new office space in the building that also houses Dunwoody City Hall.
The Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber is comprised of approximately 325 members of all sizes, industries, and locations — primarily located in Dunwoody, but some scattered throughout the region, the chamber said.
The benefit of a Dunwoody chamber is partly that the chamber’s relationship with city officials in Dunwoody helps Morris advocate on behalf of local businesses on issues such as permitting, Morris said.
“But if I’m going in front of Sandy Springs City Council, they would act like ‘Why are you here?’” he said.