(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 16, 2017) – In her seventh annual State of the County Address, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash declared the county’s condition to be “remarkable,” highlighting multiple accomplishments while acknowledging challenges in the future.

Nash said Gwinnett’s brand is one of excellence as demonstrated by its good jobs, workforce, schools, recreational opportunities, and its exemplary bond rating.

“We’ve been building this brand over the course of decades but today, I see a strong Gwinnett brand that’s been re-invented,” she said.

Innovation is a hallmark of the Gwinnett brand, she said, citing the County’s F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center, saying the wastewater treatment plant turns byproduct from the treatment process into fertilizer, and converts methane into electricity to run the plant. She noted the state-of-the-art facility also returns 14.5 billion gallons annually of the water used by the county back to Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River. Research institutions and others in water industry are working with Gwinnett County to discover new methods for recycling water and producing clean water more efficiently, Nash said.

Nash said collaboration between the County and its cities is another important element of the Gwinnett County brand of remarkable excellence. She spotlighted a new facility in Lilburn that doubles as a city hall and a county public library. The County is discussing similar library relocations in Duluth and Norcross, she said.

She said the County plans to work with the private sector to redevelop the 24-acre Olympic tennis venue on U.S. 78 near Stone Mountain, and with community improvement districts to improve pedestrian connectivity around Gwinnett Place mall and redevelopment and transportation along I-85 between DeKalb County and Beaver Ruin Road.

Nash also discussed the future expansion of the Infinite Energy Center as the county’s signature business and entertainment district. Mark Toro, managing partner and chairman of the board of North American Properties, described to the audience of about 750 what made Gwinnett County an attractive place to do business.

The County needs to explore new ways to improve mobility – including transit, Nash said.

“We can’t stop improving our road network, but expanded transit options must also be part of any long-term solution,” she said.

Nash also reaffirmed the County’s commitment to diversity and pledged to broaden its community outreach programs.

“Inclusion does not just happen,” she said. “It takes intentional effort. Let me be perfectly clear – failure to respect all Gwinnett residents and welcome their participation in our community is neither acceptable nor smart. Gwinnett’s future success depends on all of us, working together to build the community.”

Nash said she wanted to build on the County’s Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy, Dinner and Dialogue between citizens and commissioners, and Building Bridges events for various constituencies.

New inclusionary steps by the County will include adding young people to Gwinnett 101, inviting diverse groups to display traditional art, clothing, crafts and heritage in county buildings, and reaching out to minority job applicants and small businesses.

She called on people of all backgrounds and heritage to become more involved in their county government.

Nash announced a new tagline for the County’s community outreach program: “Many Voices, One Gwinnett.”

“Gwinnett’s future depends on all of us, working together to build the community,” she said. “We must engage and empower leaders from our diverse population who love Gwinnett to champion this important work.”

Video of the speech is available on demand at https://vimeo.com/204436992 and will air frequently on the county’s government access cable channel beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight. A text version of the speech and a handout highlighting the previous year’s accomplishments can be found at www.gwinnettcounty.com.

(Buford, Ga., Feb. 16, 2017) — Is it possible to travel around the world in less than two hours?  The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC) thinks it is and invites you to become an international traveler without the need for a passport.

The GEHC and local Girl Scouts from the Apalachee Service Unit are partnering to celebrate World Thinking Day on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

World Thinking Day is a learning opportunity that highlights international friendships and reminds everyone that Girl Scouts are a part of a global community with members in more than 150 countries. 

At World Thinking Day, each participating troop adopts a specific country, shares information, provides a taste of that country's cuisine and makes a "swap" that is reflective of the culture.

With 24 troops planning to attend, visitors will travel to countries such as New Zealand, Peru, Germany, Greece, Jamaica, France, Kenya, the United Kingdom and more.

World Thinking Day may be organized by the Girl Scouts, but the public is invited to participate. GEHC’s Director of Programming Jason West said, "You don't have to be a Girl Scout to enjoy this program.  It is for everyone, and I hope people across Gwinnett and northeast Georgia will come and experience it.”

In honor of the event, the GEHC will charge a special discounted admission of $2.00 per person between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Visitors can participate in the World Thinking Day program and see the GEHC’s special exhibit entitled Abracadabra! Everyday Magic. The exhibit explores the science and math concepts behind common magic tricks. There will be a separate Girl Scout charge of a dime per beverage/food item and swap.

For more information on the GEHC and World Thinking Day, please visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 10, 2017) – All lanes of the State Route 20 widening project near Sugar Hill are now open to traffic.

“We, along with Georgia DOT, are pleased to open the project to traffic,” said Alan Chapman, Director of the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation. “Motorists have been patient with our construction and we are happy to deliver.”

The project to create four lanes with a median stretched about four miles, from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to Burnette Trail. With its opening, SR 20 will carry at least four lanes of traffic through Gwinnett County from Sugar Hill to Walton County.

The widening, which was funded by federal, state and local dollars, illustrates partnerships between government agencies. In addition to teaming up with Gwinnett on this section of SR 20, the Georgia DOT is widening the bridge over the Chattahoochee River and partnering with Forsyth County to widen the road from James Burgess Road to Samples Road.

Gwinnett County was responsible for overseeing the engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction of the project. The County used 2005 and 2009 SPLOST funds, along with general capital funds, to cover these costs. State and federal funds provided utility relocations, reimbursement to Gwinnett County for land costs associated with right-of-way acquisition and reimbursement for construction. Gwinnett County DOT also oversaw the engineering and right-of-way acquisition on the state’s bridge project.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 8, 2017) — A portion of Hosea Road in Lawrenceville will be closed for repairs to a water main.

The road will close Thursday, Feb. 9 at 10:00 p.m. and will remain closed until mid-afternoon on Friday, Feb. 10. The closure will be from Industrial Park Drive to Hurricane Shoals Road.

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources is a publicly-owned utility committed to providing superior water, wastewater, and stormwater services at an excellent value to residents and businesses.   DWR is widely recognized for innovation and service excellence as well as stewardship of the environmental resources in Gwinnett County.   For more information, visit www.gwinnettH2O.com.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 8, 2017) – Live Healthy Gwinnett proudly welcomes new partner Salude Transitional Care and Rehabilitation facility in Suwanee. Salude joins the mission of encouraging Gwinnett residents to be active, eat healthy, get checked and be positive. Celebrating this partnership and in recognition of American Heart Month, Live Healthy Gwinnett will host a series of Walk the Talks with Salude.

On Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. Dr. Alan Wang, Salude’s CEO and Medical Director will lead the Walk the Talk event at George Pierce Park. Dr. Wang will discuss the importance of staying active, heart health and more while walking with participants. Future walks will also be at George Pierce Park on Saturday, March 11, discussing Healthy Nutrition in today’s fast-moving world, on April 8, discussing Rehabilitation and on May 13, discussing Physical Fitness.

Walk the Talk is a free, informative walk with health and wellness professionals at an enjoyable, easy pace. Walks are held at various park trails and last about an hour. Live Healthy Gwinnett is always seeking community partnerships who share in the mission of promoting positive change in the Gwinnett Community. For more information, visit www.livehealthygwinnett.com or contact Marie Pinela at 770-822-3197. For information about Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, visit www.gwinnettparks.com. George Pierce Park is located at 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee.