News from Gateway85 - June 2020
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GATEWAY85 CID LAUNCHES NEW
USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE
Gateway85 CID has updated its website! The refreshed site is now more user-friendly and features easier access to projects, resource guides, video testimonials and contact information. The site is designed to reinforce how the CID is making a positive impact on Gwinnett County as well as property owners in the district. Take a look and let us know what you think!
FREIGHT STUDY UPDATE
Gateway85 CID, with funds from the Atlanta Regional Commission, Gwinnett County Department of Transportation and Gateway85 CID, hired Cambridge Systematics to conduct a Freight Cluster Study and Plan to study freight movement, mobility and infrastructure and suggest projects that would…
Improve access and connectivity within the CID and to metro Atlanta
Support sustainable economic growth and expansion
Improve safety and mobility for people and goods
Identify future transportation opportunities and innovative solutions
The final study findings will be presented in July, but it successfully identified almost 40 short-term high priority projects, some of which were previously identified in other plans from the ARC, the Gwinnett County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), the Peachtree Corners CTP, the Indian Trail-Lilburn Road Livable Centers Initiative (LCI), and the Jimmy Carter Boulevard LCI, among others.
The project team also identified additional projects that could improve mobility in the CID study area based on insights gained from the technical analysis and needs articulated by study stakeholders.
In total, 206 different projects were identified and include intersection improvements, pedestrian upgrades, roadway operational projects, new connections and capacity expansions. Following the final presentation, Gateway85 will announce project plans.
WELCOME TO THE BOARD
Gateway85 CID is proud to welcome two new board members, including Gwinnett County’s appointed representative Max Hannum, Director of Human Resources at Eagle Rock Distributing Company, and Mike Reams, Technical Manager with OFS Fitel LLC, who was elected to fill a vacated seat.
Max Hannum, Eagle Rock Distributing
Gwinnett County Appointee
Eagle Rock Distributing Company’s mission is to challenge their passionate employees to use industry leading innovation and a world class portfolio in their delivery of excellent customer service. As head of Eagle Rock Distributing Company’s HR division, Max ensures employees not only embrace the mission, but are also healthy and safe in conducting their jobs. As one of the largest property owners in the district, the CID board is looking forward to working with Max and Eagle Rock on moving the CID forward.
Mike Reams, OFS Optics
Post 3
Mike Reams, who also has the title of Studio Manager, can regale you with stories of productions that used OFS’ location for filming, including The Hunger Games, Black Panther, Godzilla, The Avengers, Bad Boys 3, the Fast + Furious series and more. Mike helps major television and movie productions working in Georgia by enabling them to use OFS to house production offices, mill shops and stages. The site offers over 300,000 square feet of warehouse and soundstage column-free space, one of the largest greenscreens in the nation, a 6-acre backlot, thousands of surface parking spaces, production office space and 30-40 foot ceilings and a wide variety of possible location filming options. Gateway85 welcomes Mike on board.
NEED COVID-19 SUPPLIES?
If your business is in need of hand sanitizer, masks, face shields and more, please visit The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) for a list of Georgia-based suppliers here or you can download a complete list here. The GDEcD is collecting information from Georgia companies that indicate they are producing essential medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is sharing this information with Georgia’s units of local government and other potential in-state buyers as a courtesy. The product information and addresses were submitted by private companies to GDEcD and the list does not constitute an endorsement of any particular company or product by the State or by GDEcD.
ELECTION RUNOFF
Gwinnett County certified election results on June 19, and it appears a runoff will occur for the Democratic Party’s nomination for County Commission Chair. Nicole Love Hendrickson received 49.35% of the 103,086 votes cast in the Democratic primary for commission chairman, followed by Lee Thompson with 13.85%, Curt Thompson (13.83%), Desmond Nembhard (13.13%) and Andy Morgan (9.85%). Curt Thompson has requested a recount and as a result the runoff slate is not yet final. The winner of the August runoff will face Republican nominee David Post in November for the open seat.
Gateway85 co-hosted the only virtual candidate forum for the Commission Chair post. If you would like to watch the forum prior to the runoff election, please click here.
TRANSIT REFERENDUM
Earlier this month, Gwinnett County commissioners approved a transit plan that could be on the general election ballot in November.
The plan includes building tracks for heavy rail line, like MARTA trains, from the Doraville MARTA station to a portion of the OFS property owned by Gwinnett County on Jimmy Carter Boulevard and located within the Gateway85 CID. Other items in the plan include additional local bus routes, pedestrian and bike improvements and new rapid bus routes.
While the most recent transit referendum did not pass in a special election last March, many believed this was, in part, due to timing versus the desire for improved transit. Many have argued that placing it on a major general election ballot like in November, will improve the referendum’s chances of passing.
The current plan has been presented to the Atlanta Transit Board, known as “The ATL,” which will likely decide next month on the plan’s path forward. Stay tuned to Gateway85’s social media platforms, the website and future newsletters as we share updates when they become available.
PROTECTING BUSINESS INTERESTS
At Gateway85 CID, we mean business! Gateway85 supported proposed legislation called the Georgia Pandemic Business Protection Act (HB 167) that is designed to shield businesses and health care providers from lawsuits if workers or customers contract COVID-19 at their establishments. The Georgia Senate passed the legislation, which now heads to the House. Read more here.
GWINNETT CARES
The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia works to improve the world through the power of philanthropy. COVID-19 has greatly impacted Gwinnett and we wanted to make you aware of ways you can help.
Gwinnett Medical Reserve Corps Seeks Spanish Speaking Volunteers
Spanish-speaking individuals are encouraged to volunteer to support the efforts of Gwinnett's Medical Reserve Corps (MRC-GEM). No medical training is needed. Volunteers are well protected with PPE and are kept at safe distances from patients. If interested, sign up here.
Buy A Mask. Empower Women. Protect Our Community.
If you purchase a mask from Corners Outreach in Gwinnett it supports metro Atlanta mothers by providing sewing jobs for women to help care for their families and earn a living wage. Order your mask today.
Gwinnett Food Pantries Seek New Partners to Host Food Drives
Gwinnett’s food pantries have seen demand increase by more than 500% over the past few months. You can help by organizing a food drive. Visit www.GwinnettCares.org to learn more.
CONNECT WITH US
For more project updates and news surrounding Gateway85 CID, follow or like us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram or visit gateway85.com. If you have news to share, please contact Victoria Smith at victoria@gateway85.com or 770-449-6524.
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Suite 150 Norcross, GA 30093
770-449-6542
info@gateway85.com