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COVID-19 UPDATE

As of this morning, Gwinnett County’s Chairman Charlotte Nash has ordered that certain businesses close temporarily, including eating establishments’ dining areas, gyms, fitness centers and studios, theaters, live performance venues and more.  Restaurants may continue to offer food to customers through delivery, takeout and/or drive-through service. In addition, employers and businesses that remain open for use by the public must take the necessary steps to restrict in person contact and maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals. Click here to read the press release and click here to read the order.  

Gateway85 Community Improvement District is adhering to the government and health organizations’ recommendations to ensure the safety of our team, members and vendors. Those recommendations are also balanced with our mission to increase property values and promote business development. We will keep moving forward and ensure our team members and partners remain safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.  

Please be safe and stay informed by visiting the Johns Hopkins website for situation updates on the outbreak and for more information on how to remain healthy and prevent the spread of the virus, please visit the CDC website.

APRIL CANDIDATE FORUM MOVING ONLINE

CIDs SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY

Community Improvement Districts are focused on supporting the businesses within their district, and when a crisis happens, like COVID-19, they can spring into action to provide support. Gateway85 recently received a request from the Georgia Department of Economic Development looking for items that might be used in the fight against the virus, including:

• Tyvek suits
• Surgical gowns
• Medical hair nets
• Medical ventilators

• Miscellaneous protective equipment, including N-95 masks

If you have any of these items, please contact Emily Poole at the Georgia Department of Economic Development at 404-772-6794 or epoole@georgia.org.

Another group of businesses that need support are the restaurants within Gateway85. Victoria Smith, our communications and office manager, has diligently provided a list of local restaurants that need your patronage.

OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster relief loans and is including the Coronavirus outbreak as part of their coverage. The federal government has set aside $50 billion in aid to small businesses, which includes:

• $2 million loan maximum
• Up to 30-year amortization
• Low annual interest rate of 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations
• No prepayment penalties

SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets. For more information, click here.

LEARN HOW GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH GATEWAY85 CID FROM DAVID FINCHER

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of joining the Gateway85 Community Improvement District, we encourage you to watch this short video of David Fincher, chancellor and former president of Greater Atlanta Christian School, and one of the CID’s biggest supporters. See why the school chose Gwinnett County as its home in 1968 and how the school has been involved with the CID since its founding.

Click here to watch the video.

Stay tuned to Gateway85’s social channels to hear part two of the David’s video, which will discuss the CID’s progress since 2006.

PROJECT UPDATES

Jimmy Carter Boulevard

Since 2006, the CID has added $7.5 million in landscaping and lighting, but we’re not done. In fact, Gateway85 is currently working on a significant lighting plan on Jimmy Carter Boulevard that will add a number of mast arms and lights to continue to beautify the boulevard and improve its safety.

Sidewalk Additions and Improvements

In 2019, Gateway CID added 2.5 miles of sidewalks connecting eight County transit stops not only improving corridor connectivity, but also making it safer for pedestrian and transit riders alike. Our goal is to add another three miles this year, and we are well on our way! There is now a total of 16 miles of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and other amenities to make mobility through the district safer and promote a more walkable environment.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - HOMEFIRST GWINNETT

Homelessness is a growing problem everywhere and Gwinnett County, despite the county’s successes, is not immune. Thanks to the vision and energy of Matt Elder, director of HomeFirst Gwinnett, those struggling in Gwinnett County will have access to new opportunities to end the cycle of homelessness. HomeFirst Gwinnett is a unique public-private and faith-based partnership through the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Primerica and Gwinnett County. HomeFirst Gwinnett, the County’s first homeless shelter and assessment center, plans to open its doors this summer and will address all the factors that can cause homelessness.

The shelter will feature beds for families and children, a common area that will be open 24/7, a laundry and library. along with access to a case manager. The assessment center, which is completely separated from the shelter but on the same campus, will include a health clinic much like a Minute Clinic, a mental health and substance abuse clinic, community office space and several staff offices. 

According to an article in the Gwinnett Daily Post, Matt Elder noted that HomeFirst is “about taking people who are in crisis and giving them the tools to become productive citizens. It might be health…mental health [or] substance abuse, but we’re trying to provide these wraparound services…” to end homelessness. For more information on the incredible organization, please click here. If your company supports United Way agencies, please consider supporting HomeFirst today.

IN THE NEWS

Gwinnett County Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), including Gateway85 CID, are working with city and county officials to conduct studies to improve the county’s transit and traffic issues. Click here to read the Atlanta Business Chronicle article and hear from Gateway85 CID executive director Emory Morsberger as he details the efforts being made in Gwinnett County, putting transit issues at the forefront of CID efforts.

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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www.gateway85.com

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info@gateway85.com