Your weekend plans just got a whole lot cuter! We sit down with Downtown Manager Alicia Hartley to talk about Historic Downtown Perry's Dog Days of Summer, a pet-friendly event built for local shopping with your furry friend. In this episode, we share everything dogs and their humans can enjoy during the event, including free doggy waste bag dispensers from the Main Street Advisory Board, exclusive Perry dog bandanas from Visit Perry, and the Pup-arazzi photo station on the City Hall la...

Parks shape a city’s mood more than most of us realize, and Perry is a great example! In this episode, we’re joined by Leisure Services Director Curtis Coates, III for a look at how Perry’s parks support quality of life and everyday recreation. We talk through the different kinds of parks you’ll find across the city, including destination parks designed for big gatherings and youth sports, along with neighborhood parks and passive green spaces perfect for quiet walks. Summer in Perry brings...

In this episode of the Inside Perry Podcast, we’re diving into the surprising impact tourism has on Perry’s economy and community. Visit Perry Executive Director Anya Turpin joins us to discuss National Travel and Tourism Week and how visitors are spending millions in Perry each year, while supporting much more than hotels and restaurants. We also talk about Perry’s growing reputation as more than just a stop along I-75, the role Historic Downtown Perry plays in attracting visitors, changing ...

A spring Friday in Downtown Perry has a way of slowing you down, from the glow of the lights in the trees to the energy of people enjoying the evening together. That atmosphere is exactly what makes the Historic Downtown Perry Wine Tasting such a standout event, and in this episode, we’re sharing what makes it a favorite year after year! We're joined by Downtown Manager Alicia Hartley to walk through the full experience: how the tasting works, what you’ll see as you sip and stroll, and why th...

We sit down with Houston County Fire Chief and EMA Director Christopher Stoner to unpack the Houston County's move from CodeRED to Houston Alerts/Perry Alerts, and how smarter technology makes Perry and Houston County safer while cutting the noise. We walk through the RFP that led to Rave, the benefits of pairing with existing Motorola systems, and why usability is a lifesaver when you need to launch an alert from the field. Chief Stoner explains how precise geofencing lets teams draw a poly...

Ready to turn a spark into a storefront or scale the business you already run? We sit down with Economic Development Director Holly Wharton to unveil the Perry Startup Summit, a FREE two-day event (Feb 19–20, 2026) built to give entrepreneurs real tools, real contacts, and real momentum. We walk through how the summit evolved from Startup Week into a conference-style experience with joint sessions for shared fundamentals and separate tracks for early-stage founders and growth-focused owners....

A flock of buzzards changed our city - and gave us a reason to throw one of the most memorable New Year’s Eve parties in Georgia. We trace the surprising path from a real infrastructure headache on Perry’s water towers to a smart, humane solution and a celebration now recognized by USA Today. You’ll hear the true story behind the migratory route that brought vultures to our skyline, how permits and a clever decoy ended the damage, and why we chose to lean into the moment by creating Bob...

A wave of new spots is changing the rhythm of daily life in Perry, and we’re mapping it corridor by corridor so you know what’s open now and what’s around the corner. From coffee and cones to craft beer and new hotel keys, the skyline isn’t the only thing shifting - your options for food, services, and experiences are growing fast. We start on Perry Parkway, where recent openings like KidStrong, Pilates, Waffle House, Giles Outdoor Power, and Holy Pie Pizzeria set the pace. Then we look ahea...

We sit down with Community Development Director, Joe Duffy, to unpack how Perry’s zoning code actually works, why it exists, and what it means for your street, your business idea, or your next home project. From the century-old origins of zoning to today’s land management ordinance, we walk through the guardrails that keep homes, shops, and industry compatible - and how those rules adapt as our community changes. You’ll hear a clear explanation of the documents that guide decisions: the zoni...

Big promises are easy; durable infrastructure is harder. We sit down with Mayor Walker to unpack how Perry’s 2025 goals—many born from a 2014 strategic plan—are now taking shape across water, sewer, roads, stormwater, and parks. This is the blueprint for a city that plans decades ahead while delivering practical improvements you can feel today. We dig into the East Perry Wastewater Treatment Facility, now about 60% complete, designed for long-term capacity and located at the confluence of Mo...