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City Currents articles are
prepared by the city of
Dunwoody and published I II 1
each month by the Dunwoody 1 I W V4 V
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service. They are intended
to offer insight into the workings of Dunwoody city government. This
installment focuses on the city's Economic Development Department.
Economic development has major
impact on the community
You may not realize it, but when the
headlines are buzzing about businesses
moving into Dunwoody, it’s highly bene
ficial to each and every resident.
Krystal, State Farm, Morneau Shepell,
Ventyx and Elekta — leading brands from
a variety of different industries — all have
a strong presence, either a national or re
gional headquarters, in the city of Dun
woody. And, their presence makes a difi
ference to everyone in the city.
But what exactly led these companies
to Dunwoody? That’s a question which
the city’s department of Economic Devel
opment analyzes and studies on a daily ba
sis. Each of these industry leaders found
Dunwoody partly because of the strategic
guidance and assistance from the city’s de
partment of Economic Development.
Serving as the economic engine of
Dunwoody’s proactive business retention
and recruitment, the economic develop
ment team helps promote Dunwoody as
an attractive destination for business.
Based on the feedback and input we re
ceive from leading brands and companies,
which have chosen Dun
woody as their national or
regional headquarters, we
know that the city is recog
nized as a great place to do
business.
With a large population,
an educated workforce, easy
access to sought-after executive housing,
and efficient transportation access to all
parts of the metro Atlanta region, Dun
woody has quality attributes attractive to
companies from around the globe.
The focus of the city’s department of
Economic Development is to build the
size of the economic area and improve
upon the future quality of life for residents
and businesses in the city. By working co
operatively with public and business part
ners, the department helps create better
conditions for economic growth and em
ployment generation.
Economic development staff and eft
forts are not new to municipalities. In
fact, strong competition from other cit
ies, both next door and across the nation,
makes it even more important to attract
and keep top businesses.
For large corporations and power
ful brands, a city must have more than
one or two attractive features to be select
ed as a new corporate hub or headquar
ters. And because competition is so fierce,
Dunwoody must promote its unique as
sets to stand out in front of corporate de
cision makers.
While successful business recruitment
and retention may not mean more to city
residents than paving, parks and police,
they do have an impact in a far-reaching
manner. At its core, a strong economic
development strategy not only helps foster
Michael Starling
Economic Development Director
employment and smart growth, but it also
expands a city’s tax base.
For example, when a corporation de
cides to make Dunwoody its home, it can
have a ripple effect across our community.
It creates more job opportunities, increas
es demand for housing, raises home val
ues, and brings additional customers for
local restaurants, retailers and suppliers. It
can also translate into en
hanced community sup
port and volunteerism
based on corporate initia
tives and involvement.
Successful business re
cruitment spurs our local
economy and brings real
change and positive revenues for the city’s
tax base. This also helps the city in main
taining a lower residential property tax.
Dunwoody’s current millage rate of 2.74
mills, the same rate since the city’s incor
poration, is one of the lowest millage rates
of any similarly-sized city within the im
mediate Atlanta metro area.
We realize we cannot operate in a vacu
um while still attracting the smartest talent
and best companies to our area. The city
works cooperatively with the Dunwoody
Chamber of Commerce and the Conven
tion and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody.
Knowing when to assist and knowing
when to step up as the lead facilitator is all
part of our commitment to collaboration.
Successful economic development is at its
best when strategic guidance, implemen
tation and direction come from the city
which serves as the primary point of con
tact for potential corporate relocations and
business expansions.
By working diligently to improve the
local economy, and retain and attract busi
nesses, we are confident in the overall im
provement in our quality of life.
Remember, when the headlines report
new jobs, new openings and new corpo
rate relocations happening in Dunwoody,
it can mean a local and real benefit for all.
We welcome your input and feedback.
You can reach me at michael.starling@
dunwoodyga.gov or 678-382-6700.
City
Currents
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