| Gateway85 CID September 2023 Newsletter
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Gateway85 CID Owners’ Meeting
Gateway85 CID is proud to announce that we will be holding an Owners’ Meeting at Happy Valley Restaurant this October. This event is an opportunity for all of the property owners within the 14-square-mile CID to gain detailed insight into our initiatives, security measures and projects as well as the local market and legislative trends directly affecting businesses and updates in the district. Owners, be on the lookout for an official invitation to network with your fellow business owners compliments of the CID!
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The Atlanta Press Club Media Mixer, sponsored by Gateway85 CID – Our Community of Commerce and Culture
Gateway85 CID and The Atlanta Press Club are partnering for an evening of networking and celebration complete with complimentary food, drink and networking with global media. This mixer/storytelling event includes personal addresses from our local, multinational community including Von Tran, founder of First Senior Center, Patty Thumann with PBJ Media Holdings and Manoj Barot, President of Smurti Corporation.
If you are media interested in attending this event, please contact Emory Morsberger at emory@gateway85.com.
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Special Projects Update: Transit and Mobility Improvements
The Gateway85 CID team is working hard to make sure we make good use of the SPLOST fund allocations from Gwinnett County. To kick things off, the CID is working with the County on plans for improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety along Jimmy Carter Boulevard south of I-85. The CID team is also working on building out a new CID-wide pedestrian safety and sidewalk plan to support the next wave of sidewalk improvements. As part of this endeavor, Gateway85 CID is partnering with Gwinnett County on a multi-million-dollar federal grant application, entitled "Reconnecting Communities", to help better connect neighborhoods and commercial areas on both sides of I-85.
As we continue exploring improvements on freight bottlenecks and infrastructure challenges throughout the district, the CID is also in the early stages of planning a major overhaul of the Jimmy Carter Boulevard interchange.
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Gateway85 CID Median Progress Update
The installation of new medians along Jimmy Carter Boulevard is in progress. These new medians will not only improve traffic flow but also beautify our primary artery through the district. The medians are projected to be completed in March 2024 and plantings in the medians will be visible by next spring.
Come 2024, improvements to our major access roads will continue with renovations to the access ramps to I-85 on Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
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Gateway85 CID in Boston for Gwinnett Chamber's Strategic Leadership Visit
From September 13 - 15, Gateway85 CID's team joined Gwinnett's business, government and education leaders in Boston for the 2023 Strategic Leadership Visit to explore the solutions and innovations the city implements to promote positive community change as well as create new partnerships among Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta leadership.
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From left to right: Tim Le, Nick Masino, Olga Gorman, Shiv Aggarwal, Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku and Emory Morsberger
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Gateway85 CID Wants to Hear from You!
Are you a business or property owner in Gateway85 CID? We want to hear from you! In an effort to better connect with our member businesses, we have created a brief survey here for property owners and member businesses to share information and input about the CID’s initiatives and programs. This is a perfect time to ensure you are on the list to receive the Owners’ Meeting invitation!
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EV Spotlight - EnviroSpark
Georgia-based EnviroSpark was founded by Aaron Luque, a Norcross native, and his wife Stephanie with two missions: to raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles and to increase the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Since the company’s founding in 2014, it has been involved in more than 7,200 EV installations across the United States, including the recent installation at the Kids ‘R’ Kids facility in Gateway85 CID. Compared to other green energy companies, EnviroSpark is a tenured presence in the market and has witnessed the evolution of public, professional and legislative opinions regarding EV and green energy.
“It used to be that supporters of green energy fell into two categories: they loved the newest technology or they loved the environment. Now, with more information and studies available, green technology’s appeal has increased beyond those two factors,” said Andrew Bailey, Chief Marketing Officer of EnviroSpark.
“For the more fiscally minded, EV appeals because the manufacturing of these vehicles and chargers creates more jobs in the United States and supports the national economy,” continued Bailey.
Bailey also observed that the relocation and increased investments of established automobile manufacturers in Georgia, including Rivian, Kia and Hyundai, would influence large changes for the state’s communities, infrastructure and available products – which, in turn, would support the adoption of electric vehicles by the consumers.
Georgia’s increasingly EV-friendly landscape is also policy-driven.
“EV is becoming increasingly bipartisan,” said Bailey. “This is helpful because, from our perspective, the largest obstacles in the implementation of EV are related to infrastructure.”
“We think this will put Georgia ahead in the adoption of EV in relation to other states,” remarked Bailey.
The Georgia Power Make Ready Infrastructure Program provides support for the installation of cables, connections and underground power lines to create a viable network for the future installation of charging stations throughout Georgia. The program is open to any property owner who manages a property with public parking contracted with Georgia Power. As of September 2023, seven properties in Gateway85 CID have been submitted for the program.
As part of the Make Ready process, Georgia Power also works to connect interested, eligible companies with EV charging vendors, such as EnviroSpark, to provide and maintain the above-ground charging stations.
“If an interested company doesn’t know where to start in the process, the best resources are Georgia Power, local and federal government resources or the company’s co-op and utilities providers,” said Bailey. “They have the latest information regarding subsidies, infrastructure funding and other sources of additional support.”
Supporting EV infrastructure for current and future businesses and development is another initiative Gateway85 CID supports. If you need further assistance or information about how your company can implement EVs, contact Carolyn Bourdeaux at carolyn@gateway85.com.
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Applications for the Gwinnett Small Business Grant are Open!
Does your business qualify for the Gwinnett Small Business Grant? Gwinnett County is now accepting applications for the Gwinnett Small Business Grant, a program that provides financial assistance to small businesses that were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance for the application process is available in multiple languages by phone and email.
Estimated funds ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 will be awarded based on factors such as the number of employees, gross revenue, total COVID-19 impact on the applicant, available funds and the number of applications received.
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Gwinnett County’s Proposed Transit Plan Expands
On September 5, Gwinnett County commissioners were introduced to Gwinnett’s new Transit Development Plan. The plan focuses on the expansion of local and microtransit services as well as routes from Gwinnett to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, including stops at the Gwinnett Place Transit Center.
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Gwinnett 2045 Unified Plan Survey
What do you think the future of Gwinnett’s communities should look like? The proposed new plans have sparked conversation among the community with a notable split between those who want more development and those who want less. Read more from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Gwinnett County is asking residents for input on their ideal “Daily Community” as part of the 2045 Unified Plan initiative. Please take the surveys below to share your thoughts and perspective on:
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District 7 Representative McBath and Commissioner Carden Convene Small Business Resource Briefing Event with SBA and Local Organizations
On August 22 in Norcross, Representative Lucy McBath and special guests Gwinnett County District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Georgia District Director Terri Denison, SBA Region IV Administrator Allen Thomas and Gwinnett Area Director of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Glenn Kruse convened a small business resource briefing for owners in the Seventh Congressional District. Gwinnett County Economic Development Manager Mark Farmer and Senior Director of the ACE Women’s Business Center Sandra Font delivered presentations during the briefing as well. Leadership of several local chambers of commerce and Community Improvement Districts were also in attendance to share resources from their organizations with small business owners.
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Atlanta Digital World Summit Is Coming on October 4! Don’t miss the Atlanta Digital World Summit on October 4! This entertainment, gaming and fintech event will bring together visionaries, thought leaders and industry experts from around the globe to explore the forefront of digital innovation and its impact on the entertainment industry.
The event also provides students the opportunity to gain academic internships and scholarships funded by the summit and partner companies, including the Georgia Film Foundation. Use the student code “STUDENTS2023” to gain free entry!
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Electrify PTC Returns to the Peachtree Corners Festival!National Drive Electric Week begins September 18, and Peachtree Corners is celebrating during its annual Peachtree Corners Festival on Saturday, September 23 with Mercedes-Benz, Qwick Charge, Ford, Jim Ellis, Georgia Power and more with the Electrify PTC EV Car Show. This free event is open to all!
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City of Peachtree Corners Collecting Resident Quality of Life Survey Responses
The City of Peachtree Corners is running a confidential feedback survey to hear from residents about the quality of life in the city. Answers will assist in planning for the future to ensure Peachtree Corners is the best it can be. Take the survey here.
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Partnership Gwinnett Shareholder Meeting
September 27, 2 – 4 p.m.
Eagle Rock Distributing Company
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Gwinnett Chamber Sporting Clays Tournament
September 28, 8:30 a.m.
Garland Mountain Sporting Clays
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Atlanta Korean Festival
September 30, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Korean Community Center
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Police Foundation Annual Golf Tournament
October 2, 7:30 a.m.
Reunion Country Club
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CSE Career Fair
October 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
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State of Technology Summit presented by Gateway85 CID
October 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Atlanta Tech Park
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Gwinnett Chamber Fall Classic Tournament
October 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bear's Best Atlana
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Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit
November 2, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The John C. Maxwell Leadership Center at 12Stone Church
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On Topic: Transportation Talk
November 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The 1818 Club
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Want the latest news on what's happening with Gateway85 CID? Please follow us on all social media channels below!
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