| Gateway85 CID May 2021 Newsletter
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| | Executive Director Update
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Help Wanted! These are the words I see when I drive around the district and metro Atlanta for that matter. There are almost 230,000 job openings in Georgia that companies are struggling to fill. Some have questioned the added federal stimulus, others wonder if workers are waiting to find their dream jobs, but one undeniable reason is the lack of childcare. Without daycare workers, daycare locations cannot meet the demand for parents looking to return to work. I recently penned an opinion editorial about the need for our government to use some of its stimulus funding to resolve this issue. Businesses will need to rethink how to attract and retain workers with a living wage and benefits.
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| | Take the Gateway85 CID Job Fair Survey!
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Need employees? Gateway85 CID plans to host a free job fair, but we need your help. We're inviting Gateway85 CID businesses to take one minute to answer a short five-question survey about your interest in participating.
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| | Member Spotlight - Certain Logistics
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What does “certain” mean? It means 100% existing in fact, in truth. According to Director Mary Fowler and General Manager Shaheen Butt, “there is a great deal of uneasiness in logistics. Certain Logistics removes that uneasiness because we are focused on the customer and nothing is outsourced.”
Certain Logistics, which launched in 2020 and is located with the CID, specializes in logistics, warehousing, distribution, cross-docking, commercial services by ground, air, sea transport and more for domestic and international clients.
Certain Logistics was the result of a merger with Biscayne Hospitality, a leading provider of well-built custom furniture to the hospitality industry founded in 2005, Commercial Move Management founded by Mary Fowler in 2016 and New Millennium Transportation founded by Pablo Mondragon in 2011. Javed Bhaghani, president of Biscayne Hospitality is infatuated with servicing customers and wanted to manage the complete process from manufacturing through logistics and delivery. Certain Logistics is unique in that the company does everything in-house – from the plant to port to delivery, they control the movement of all items. Certain also provides cross-dock services, warehousing and distribution for customers from big-box retailers to high-end medical lab equipment and more.
What’s next? More growth! However, finding great employees is at the top of Fowler, Butt’s and Mondragon’s lists. They need full-time office staff, warehouse staff, drivers and helpers, owner-operators for final mile logistics. “We have great benefits that are atypical for our industry, including healthcare, profit sharing and education support for our workers’ children,” said Butt.
Gateway85 provides Certain with incredible access to with I-85 and I-285. "Our trucks take a few right turns and they’re in and out of our location, and there’s a variety of places for our drivers to eat. Our neighbors are kind and generous and best of all, we’re in an opportunity zone, which provides us with added benefits,” added Fowler.
If you need any logistics or delivery services, contact Mary at 470.545.3454 or visit Certain Logistics. They are ‘certain’ to give you peace of mind.
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| | KB Advisory Group to Study the District's Economic Impact
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Gateway85’s Board of Directors has engaged KB Advisory Group to study the area’s economic impact on the state and county. Gateway85 and Gwinnett County are working in partnership to review redevelopment opportunities throughout the district with a particular focus on the County-owned OFS site. Following the study’s findings, the CID plans to meet with County leadership to discuss options for site's redevelopment into a mixed-use property with key connections for future transit options.
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| | Meet the Two Commissioners Who Support Our District
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Ben Ku, District 2 Commissioner
Gwinnett County District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku oversees the cities of Lilburn, Norcross, Berkeley Lake, Tucker and Peachtree Corners. In 2016, Commissioner Ku participated in the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy, created by Chairwoman of Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Nicole Love Hendrickson, and in 2019 he became an ACCG Certified County Commissioner.
Commissioner Ku hopes to use his 20 years of entrepreneurial and software development experience to solve Gwinnett’s transit issues, including the potential development of bus rapid transit to Gwinnett County.
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Kirkland Carden, District 1 Commissioner
Gwinnett County District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden oversees the cities of Duluth, Suwanee, Sugar Hill and a small section of Norcross, covering the Beaver Ruin Rd. area within Gateway85 CID.
Since December 20, 2020, Carden has been responding to COVID-19, dealing with the redevelopment of Gwinnett Place Mall and improving mobility. He is a dedicated community leader and a self-proclaimed “proud son of Gwinnett.”
“The Norcross area of my district struggles with code enforcement, aged retail building and public safety concerns. These issues must be addressed to improve the quality of life for residents and encourage the area's future development.” Carden said.
Carden is working on making ordinance changes that will encourage redevelopment [and/or] infill development of commercial areas and is training additional code enforcement officers focused on commercial areas with a history of property neglect.
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| | Gateway85 CID Project Updates
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Dawson Boulevard Sidewalk
The sidewalk along Dawson Blvd. was rated the “most needed sidewalk” in Gwinnett County by the 2017 SPLOST Citizen Project Selection Committee, and now it is almost complete! Construction began last August and will be finished by the end of June. The sidewalk is 1.2 miles long stretching from Graves Rd. to McDonough Dr.
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Additional sidewalks are slated for improvements and construction has already begun on the sidewalk along Live Oak Parkway and Thompson Parkway. Once finished, the sidewalk will complete the loop from Jimmy Carter Boulevard at Oakbrook Parkway around Live Oak Parkway and back to JCB, providing pedestrians a safer route and better access to five bus stops.
In August, construction will begin on part of the sidewalk connection to Lucky Shoals Park along Britt Road. A pedestrian crosswalk will be added along the park's entrance drive and a bridge component will be added across Lucky Shoals Creek. Both additions will make a safer path for park visitors from the west and businesses along Jimmy Carter Boulevard to the east.
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Operation POP: Positioned for Prosperity
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Gateway85 CID's Operation POP is improving the appearance of the corridor along Jimmy Carter Boulevard by refinishing all the existing handicap ramps on Jimmy Carter Boulevard to increase accessibility, safety and curb appeal. When complete, about 1,000 handicap ramps will be revamped with the addition of red coloring to improve their visibility…and give them POP! Operation POP is also pressure washing and painting the walls and handrails along Jimmy Carter Boulevard to give the corridor a cleaner and more refreshed look.
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New Amazon Distribution Center in Norcross
Amazon is occupying 121,017 square feet of space for a new delivery station. Delivery stations provide the last mile of Amazon's order fulfillment process, and Amazon has more than 150 across the U.S. Amazon's total fulfillment center network has grown to at least 13 million square feet across the Atlanta region, almost doubling its size from 2019.
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Overlay District Approved for Gateway85 CID
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The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved the Gateway85 Overlay District on May 25, which will help to ensure properties are properly maintained, enhancing the area's vitality and livability. The Overlay District will allow Gateway85 CID to reach its goals concerning pedestrian access, building design, natural resources, economic development, transit and more. Gateway85 continues to attain a unified and pleasing visual aesthetic, resulting in more economic development opportunities, improved modes of transportation and increased property values.
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| | Logistics/Final Mile News
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Between gas shortages caused by the Colonial Pipeline shutdown to limited trucking capacity, roadway transportation faces challenging obstacles. Some companies have sprung into action by raising driver pay to help catch up with strong demand, but will these efforts be enough to stop the bleeding? Click the Wall Street Journal story link below to hear what top freight executives had to say about the ongoing freight crisis.
Locally, 40% of Atlanta’s gas stations are still without fuel. Expect shipping delays and higher fees as diesel fuel prices increase. Fortunately, you can track prices and stations around the CID by visiting GasBuddy.
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| | A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way
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According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Sugar Hill Mayor Pro Tem Taylor Anderson is reaching into his own pocket, donating his 2021 council salary to charities in northern Gwinnett County.” Taylor Anderson’s company, Blue Landworks, has helped with a number of Gateway85 projects over the past 10 years. We are proud to know Taylor and wanted to share his kindness with you.
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