| Gateway85 CID August 2022 Newsletter
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State Opportunity Zone
I recently received great news! Gateway85 CID is the only CID with both a state and federal opportunity zone. State Opportunity Zones provide employers with a tax credit for new employees, which incentivizes company growth. Our state OZ designation was extended in February last year but omitted the OFS property – one of the largest in our district.
We appealed to include the OFS property, and recently learned that the three parcels that comprise the OFS property will be part of the OZ designation. Businesses within OZ can take credit for net new jobs, provided a minimum of two net new jobs are created. This is a major win for the district now and into the future as the designation remains in place through December 31, 2030.
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Incredible Corridor
I am proud to say that after more than a year of feasibility studies, Gateway85 CID, working in conjunction with Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, Tucker Summit CID and MARTA, plans to launch a new CID-funded transit line to help hundreds of workers get to their jobs more easily beginning this fall. This transit line will be the first in the state that has been planned and launched by two cooperating CIDs but is truly designed to help employers in our district.
Deemed The Incredible Corridor, the two-mile stretch of road from Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Gwinnett County to Mountain Industrial Boulevard in DeKalb County has limited transit and transportation options within multiple transit agency jurisdictions. Yet employers along this corridor employ more than 15,000 people and there are significant concentrations of multi-family housing located along this corridor as well. Until now, there has been no coordinated transit service that takes advantage of the potential jobs and housing connections along the corridor. This fall, that is going to change.
After identifying the transit gap, I’ve been working to coordinate and launch this new transit service for more than a year. I’ve spoken with more than 30 of the combined areas’ largest employers, all of whom need to attract and retain employees in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. My goal is to go live with four free-to-ride 25-person buses in early October that will be available at peak shift change hours along the Incredible Corridor.
The route, which will begin and end at the Doraville MARTA station, is currently being finalized, and I hope to work with even more employers to identify added stops.
A website is in the works which will provide information to employers and riders about the route, service times and more. Both CIDs plan to work with property management companies, community nonprofits and faith-based organizations to spread the word to potential riders to use the service. In addition, the program will plug into existing van pools and carpools to further help employees get to their places of employment.
Stay tuned for more details soon!
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Don’t forget - nominations for Partnership Gwinnett’s Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit (MARS) are open! Last year, Gateway85 Executive Director Emory Morsberger won the Redevelopment Champion Award for his work in the district and region.
The project awards are divided into four categories depending on the project’s size: Small, Medium, or Large. A fourth award, the Redevelopment Champion Award, exists for individuals who have contributed to meaningful redevelopment projects in the metro Atlanta area through their leadership and vision.
Visit the Partnership Gwinnett website to register for the event or nominate a project or individual here.
About MARS
MARS is a unique conference and networking event that includes over 200 developers, commercial real estate professionals, elected officials, business leaders and community development experts in a day of networking, discussions of relevant industry trends, and insider information about upcoming redevelopment projects in the region.
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The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia began in 1985 with the mission of distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Gwinnett County. Today, the Community Foundation aids individuals, families, corporations and nonprofits throughout Gwinnett, North Fulton, Forsyth and beyond.
Simply put, the Community Foundation connects fundholders, be they a corporation with a large budget or individuals with a modest amount, to nonprofits in need.
“Sometimes our fundholders come to us knowing the causes they want to support, and sometimes they come knowing they want to give but aren’t sure how or where to give,” said DePriest Waddy, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We know the nonprofits working effectively in our community and, when needed, introduce our fundholders to those nonprofits. While our fundholders often want to make a direct impact in their local community, sometimes they want to make a larger, more global impact and then we work to help them select the nonprofit that best fits their philanthropic goals.”
Waddy became President and CEO of the foundation in June 2022.
According to Waddy, “I had the opportunity to work across the aisles with the Community Foundation and a host of others to make way for providing housing, food, educational resources and jobs. I was impressed with how the Community Foundation galvanized leaders from every facet of the community, and I look forward to continuing this great work and helping philanthropists understand how we can maximize dollars spent with great up-to-date information.”
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DePriest Waddy, President and CEO, The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia
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The Community Foundation’s approach emphasizes the education of the fundholders regarding how to do as much as possible – and that the good they do lasts.
“The common fiber in all we do is “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” said Waddy. “Our goal is to meet them where they are and help them to make informed decisions regarding their philanthropy.”
The Community Foundation calls this education and connective process an individual’s “Journey of Generosity.”
Anyone can be a philanthropist through the Community Foundation with any amount given through the Good2Give Community Fund in support of nonprofits seeking grants. However, if an individual or business wants to become a fundholder, that can be done with as little as $10,000. Contact the Community Foundation through their website to learn more or begin the process.
When asked to highlight nonprofits in the Gateway85 district, Waddy and the Community Foundation listed two that will be highlighted in their upcoming Good2Give Celebration also happening within Gateway85. Corners Outreach, which supports underserved students of color and their families through education and career development, and View Point Health, which is a community behavioral health center for individuals in need.
Learn more about DePriest Waddy’s role as CEO of Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia here.
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Gateway85 participated as a Gold sponsor of the Council for Quality Growth's The Intersection Quality Development Conference in August. - an education event from the Quality Growth Institute. This event championed the discussion surrounding housing, workplace, mobility and logistics innovation in Georgia and how our area compares to other areas nationwide.
Industry leaders including KIA of Georgia, UPS, Zillow and Georgia Ports addressed attendees with insights regarding community changes around metro Atlanta, including our district. The event also featured panels comprised of local industry players in construction, real estate and development as well as local government policymakers.
Read the full event recap or watch the recorded video of the event here.
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Beautification on Buford Highway
Operation POP and the cities of Norcross and Peachtree Corners continue efforts to clean and beautify Buford Highway.
Hargray Fiber Optic Upgrades
Hargray Fiber is discussing installation of the existing Fiber Network from the Holcomb Bridge Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard areas up to I-85 to serve the many industrial business parks and various businesses in the area. Hargray Fiber’s happy customers include Peachtree Corners City Hall, Technology Parkway, Atlanta Technology Park, Global Aviation and Curiosity Labs.
If you would like Hargray to install fiber to your business, please contact:
Derrick Grissom
Derrick.grissom@hargrayfiber.com
Norcross Summer Concert Series
Friday, September 2, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Thrasher Park
The City of Norcross’ summer concert series’ final 2022 performance is Voltage Brothers! Bring a chair, cooler and enjoy a mix of music including just about every genre of music in one “electric” lineup. View the Summer Concert Series schedule here.
Norcross 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Sunday, September 11, 8:15 – 9 AM
Betty Mauldin Park
The City of Norcross will hold a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony beginning at 8:15 am. The ceremony will include a ringing of the bell at 8:45 a.m. to mark the time the first tower was hit. Learn more details here.
Norcross Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Saturday, September 17
Mitchell Road and Price Place
In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 – October 15! Celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to history, heritage and culture in Norcross! Immerse yourself in the food, music, traditions and more from Hispanic countries around the world! Learn more here.
Peachtree Corners Yoga on the Green and Crossfit on the Green
Tuesdays and Thursdays through September 27, 8 – 9 AM
Town Green
If you are a master yogi or even if you are a beginner, don’t miss Peachtree Corners’ free Yoga on the Green happening every Tuesday. Learn more about the program here.
And if you still can’t get enough fitness into your summer routine, attend the free Crossfit on the Green every Thursday.
Peachtree Corners Summer Concert Series – Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees Tribute) with The Mike Veal Band
Saturday, August 27, 7 – 10 PM
Town Green
Come to the Town Green for the fourth installment of Peachtree Corners’ Summer Concert Series headlining the Bee Gees tribute band Stayin’ Alive. Learn more details here.
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Gwinnett Chamber Candidates Forum
October 6, 3 - 4 PM
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will be holding a candidates forum event featuring four candidates for Gwinnett County Commission Districts 2 and 4. Gateway85 is a Presenting Sponsor for this event.
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On Topic – State of the Schools Presented by Rocket IT
September 21, 11:30 AM – 1 PM
Dr. Calvin H Watts, Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent, will speak on the current strategy of the county’s education to better serve the students’ academic, social, emotional and behavioral success.
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An International Diwali Utsav
October 26
5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA
Diwali, The Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration of the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Join the celebration on October 26 at this cultural festival and family event!
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