2009-2010
Partnership Gwinnett Executive Council
Bartow Morgan, Brand Banking Company 2009 chairman, partnership gwinnett
.........................................................................................................................
Terri Jondahl, CAB, Inc. 2010 chairman, partnership gwinnett
.........................................................................................................................
Randy Dellinger, Jackson EMC goal I chair
.........................................................................................................................
Mike Levengood, McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP goal II chair
.........................................................................................................................
Joe Allen, Gwinnett Place CID goal III chair
.........................................................................................................................
Dave McMullen, redpepper goal IV chair
.........................................................................................................................
Alvin Wilbanks, Gwinnett County Public Schools
.........................................................................................................................
Alfie Meek, Gwinnett County Economic Development Director
.........................................................................................................................
Bucky Johnson, Gwinnett Municipal Association
.........................................................................................................................
Charles Bannister, Gwinnett County Commission Chairman
.........................................................................................................................
Chuck Warbington, Gwinnett Village CID
.........................................................................................................................
Glenn Stephens, Gwinnett County Administrator
.........................................................................................................................
Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
.........................................................................................................................
Nick Masino, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
.........................................................................................................................
Phil Wolfe, Gwinnett Medical Center
.........................................................................................................................
Preston Williams, Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau
.........................................................................................................................
Renee Byrd-Lewis, Cisco
.........................................................................................................................
Sally Sidwell, Kaiser Permanente of Georgia
From left to right: Jim Maran, Dave McMullen, Joe Allen, Nick Masino, Mike Levengood, Bartow Morgan, Randy
Dellinger and Terri Jondahl pictured at the Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
{2}
annual check-up
P G 10
Partnership Gwinnett’s four-goal strategy exists to achieve more sustainable, long-term economic
health in Gwinnett County and the Metro Atlanta region.
I. Job Growth & Wealth Creation
III. Quality of Life
Continue to drive and maintain an aggressive business
strategy aimed at the recruitment, retention, relocation
and expansion of new and existing firms in Gwinnett’s
target business sectors including health care and life
sciences, information technology centers, distribution
and trade operations, advanced communication
organizations, headquarter offices and professional
services. Enterprises of all sizes and types are a part of
job growth and wealth creation, including entrepreneurs
and small businesses, as well as international and
minority-owned companies.
Promote redevelopment and more sustainable
development patterns; enhance mobility within Gwinnett
and throughout the region; strengthen arts, cultural and
recreational resources; and improve public safety and code
enforcement in the county.
II. Education & Workforce Excellence
Ensure Pre-K – 12th grade educational systems are
meeting the needs of the community while maintaining a
demand-driven approach to post-secondary education and
workforce training.
k.
Strong Vitals. Healthy Outloo
IV. Marketing & Outreach
Maintain Gwinnett’s external marketing campaign
across the globe to diverse groups and communities
while continuing to improve local and regional partner
relationships. Create and lead target-industry marketing
strategies with the responsibility to tailor marketing
efforts and messages to speak to these industries
specifically. Coordinate with community involvement
groups and make Gwinnett attractive for young
professionals to ensure sustainability and future growth
for the target business sectors in Gwinnett.
Aug. 24, 2010
nnett and the Gwinnett
Members of Partnership Gwi
and
rs
tne
Par
,
ors
est
Inv
Valued
s year! Your support and
thank you for a tremendou
Chamber, allow me to say
r year of consistent
tt has produced yet anothe
nne
Gwi
ip
rsh
tne
Par
in
t
investmen
ater Atlanta region. With
nt in Gwinnett and the Gre
pme
elo
dev
ss
ine
bus
and
growth
statewide partners,
k with local, regional and
wor
and
te
ora
lab
col
to
s
our effort
of economic and community
ished itself as the pulse
abl
est
has
tt
nne
Gwi
ip
Partnersh
.
a
development in the region
iness initiatives to lead
Gwinnett drove global bus
ip
rsh
tne
Par
r
al
yea
t
ion
pas
reg
In the
na, collaborate with
bal Business Mission to Chi
p a
comprehensive Gwinnett Glo
ing promotion, and develo
ket
ital entertainment mar
dig
on
rs
tne
es
par
ili
ide
fam
tew
and sta
to aid spouses and
rgia Pathways - designed
Geo
m
gra
pro
ide
was
tew
m
sta
strong
nnett’s public policy tea
Gwinnett. Partnership Gwi
of relocated companies to
g an open heart surgery
Gwinnett Medical in gettin
ing
ist
ass
in
tal
men
tru
also ins
Gwinnett Citizens’ Advisory
nty to create the Engage
Cou
the
h
wit
g
ss
rin
tne
par
program,
nching the Let’s Do Busine
nty budget shortfalls, lau
Cou
on
te
ora
lab
y,
col
nom
to
eco
Committee
billion to our local
e to redirect more than $1
ld
Gwinnett Stimulus Initiativ
ation legislation that cou
ort
to pass historic transp
ers
mak
law
te
Sta
ty
ng
ivi
byi
act
and lob
region. With strong
lion over 10 years for our
in its
generate more than $10 bil
d to report Strong Vitals
ite
rship Gwinnett is exc
tne
Par
s,
ces
suc
ued
tin
and con
Outlook for years to come.
third year and a Healthy
ives each year to implement
Partnership Gwinnett, str
t,
por
sup
ued
7,
tin
con
r
you
With
rs. At its inception in 200
tions laid in previous yea
nda
fou
ong
str
id
the
e
sol
a
anc
and enh
itol steps with both
launched on the state’s cap
Partnership Gwinnett was
future. Since that time,
a resolved vision for our
and
t
pas
our
of
g
din
tan
unders
relocate or expand in the
n a total of 191 companies
see
has
tt
nne
Gwi
ip
rsh
Partne
8 total jobs.
community representing 9,20
rship Gwinnett. As we
t and investment in Partne
por
sup
r
you
for
you
nk
Tha
sincere gratitude to your
fitable year, we extend our
pro
and
ul
itf
fru
a
for
e
prepar
Greater Atlanta.
outlook for Gwinnett and
commitment to a healthy
Bartow Morgan
Gwinnett
2009 Chairman, Partnership
{3}
achievement overview
Partnership Gwinnett reported over 9,200 new
jobs and nearly 200 expansions or relocations since its
inception in 2007.
Suwanee became the 1st community in Gwinnett
to be certified “green” by the Atlanta Regional
Commission (ARC).
Gwinnett and the state of Georgia celebrated the
official opening of NCR’s global corporate
headquarters in Gwinnett County. Since its June
2009 announcement, the company’s corporate site in
Duluth has grown to 409,000 square feet.
Gwinnett led a July 2009 Global Business
Mission to China reporting $3 million in capital
and 40 new jobs.
NCR was globally recognized as one of the top 10 deals
in North America in 2009 by Site Selection magazine.
NCR celebrates ribbon cutting of new corporate headquarters
with the state of Georgia and Gwinnett Chamber.
Gwinnett’s 2030 Unified Plan, employing
everything from transportation development to a
solid redevelopment and revitalization focus, won the
Georgia Planning Association’s 2009 “Best Planning
Document for a large Community,” and is also in
the running for a national award from the American
Planning Association.
Gwinnett County’s successful education system
continues to prosper as it offers everything from pre-K
to PhDs.
Named one of the highest performing urban districts in
the country for the second consecutive year, Gwinnett
County Public Schools (GCPS) is one of five finalists for
the 2010 Broad Prize for Urban Education, the largest
education award in the country.
Gwinnett was recognized as a national leader in
capitalizing on new urbanism by USA Today.
entrepreneurship & small business development
Created over 1,300 opportunities to assist entrepreneurs,
small business owners, and their leadership teams
through the Chamber’s Metro Atlanta Council for
Entrepreneurship with a focus on enhancing leadership
and management skills, sales and marketing strategies,
securing finance and capital, and creating long-term
strategic plans.
Counseled 234 Gwinnett companies in the Small
Business Resource Center, assisting them with marketing
and business development needs and research.
Directly assisted 82 minority and women-owned
businesses in obtaining contacts from federal, state and
county government and private sector procurement
officers through the Diversity Supplier Forum.
Coordinated 67 face-to-face meetings through the
Meet the Purchasers program between small business
owners and purchasing agents from large companies and
governmental agencies to learn what they buy locally and
their bidding and purchasing procedures.
Conducted the 4th annual Pinnacle Small Business
Awards recognizing the 25 most successful, privately
held businesses in Gwinnett as well as top non-profits.
These high-growth companies collectively employ 3,234
people and reported aggregate revenues of $724 million.
{4}
annual check-up
P G 10
target industry updates
In 2009-2010, the target industry councils embarked on the following activities:
Global Business Council
Embarked on a 15-day economic
development recruitment mission
across Asia, making stops in Shanghai,
Beijing, Qingdao, Pohang City and
Seoul, which brought back over $3 million in capital
investment, 40 new jobs, and several industry
expansions.
Finalized the Sister-Community Agreement
with the District of Gangnam, located in Seoul,
Korea, established to strengthen the friendship and
expand the cooperation of the two communities in
development, economy and other areas.
November 16, 2009, the Gwinnett Chamber hosted
a 16-person Korean delegation from Busan, Korea.
Busan selected Gwinnett for its one-stop visit to
the U.S. because of its existing global business
recruitment efforts and the solid Korean business
community already thriving in the region.
Tom LaForge, Global Insights Director of Coca-Cola,
presents at the 2010 Sustainability Summitt
Healthcare & Life Science Council
Economic Development Council
Hosted “Changing Trends in Real
Estate: Gwinnett’s Focus on
Redevelopment,” at the Gwinnett
Braves Stadium where industry leaders
gathered together to learn more about the region’s
vision for redevelopment, prime locations and
incentives available.
Hosted the 2nd Annual Sustainability Summit,
educating attendees about the environment and the
fiscal importance of “going green,” featuring Tom
LaForge, Global Insights Director of Coca-Cola.
The Summit, held at the nationally award-winning
Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, showcased
best practices in “going green” like energy efficiency,
conservation and drought-resistant landscaping. It also
provided unique case study scenarios to demonstrate the
application of these solutions.
Technology Council
Released a comprehensive Digital
Entertainment White Paper, a
technical marketing document showcasing
the vibrant industry obtainable in Georgia.
The White Paper was launched at the Atlanta Film
Festival in April 2010.
Signed an agreement for partnership
with Gwinnett Medical Center
(GMC) on a series of preventative health
forums to educate existing workforce
and young professionals on health related professional
lifestyle choices in addition to showcasing the
healthcare industry and highly-skilled workforce
already established in Gwinnett.
Attended the 2010 International Bio
Convention with the Innovation Crescent and State
of Georgia which offered networking opportunities
for over 15,000 industry experts in attendance.
Manufacturing & Logistics Council
Manufacturing & Logistics council
partnered with Gwinnett Technical
College and Jackson EMC to host
the 2nd Annual Manufacturers’
Appreciation Breakfast honoring four Gwinnett
manufacturing companies, Elesys North America,
Ole’ Mexican Foods, EZ Prints and Micromeritics,
nominated for the 2010 Governor’s Manufacturer of
the Year award.
Presented the Manufacturing & Logistics forum on
“Fostering Innovation for Manufacturers,”
that featured Don Pital with Georgia Tech on the
importance of process and commitment.
{5}
progress summary
During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, Gwinnett County demonstrated sizeable and consistent growth in jobs,
capital investment, relocations and expansions, and other key areas in economic development.
action items
PG Year 3
112
3,240
79
$366M
9,208
191
CUMULATIVE
TOTALS
Relocations and
Expansions
5,968
$40M
N/A
July 2009–June 2010
Jobs represented
by above
$326M
36
375
July 2007–June 2009
PG Year 1 & 2
Capital Investment
from above*
65
57
STAT
New/Active
Projects
307
601
Existing
Industry Visits
234
ation/expansion
total amount of capital for every recorded reloc
367
Small Business
Resource Center
al publicly reported and does not reflect the
* - number is based on the percentage of capit
{6}
annual check-up
P G 10
{7}
business recruitment, retention & expansion
Kaiser Permanente, announced that it will invest
nearly $2 million to open its newest medical office in
Lawrenceville, making it Kaiser Permanente’s third
location in Gwinnett and becoming a Partnership
Gwinnett angel investor.
Medical Business Services, Inc. (MBS), one of
the largest privately owned leaders in patient billing
services for hospital-based physicians, announced
the relocation of its operations facility where it will
house 120 employees and hire a significant number
of local residents.
Web Industries, global
manufacturer and developer
of flexible materials,
expanded its operations. The
250,000-square-foot facility
will create $6 million dollars
in capital and 25 high-wage
jobs with a few hundred more
over the next several years.
Spectral Response
announced the relocation
and expansion of its corporate
headquarters to Gwinnett. The
expansion, projected to mean
almost $2 million dollars in
capital investment, will create a
minimum of 135 new jobs over the
next three to five years.
Commercial Cabinetry of Georgia,
a leading manufacturer of quality custom
millwork in the Southeast for over three
decades, announced its plans to transfer its 57
person manufacturing operation to a 60,000-squarefoot site in Gwinnett, creating 75 new jobs.
Navicure, a leading Internet-based medical claims
clearinghouse, announced the intra-county relocation
and expansion of its national headquarters. The
22,000-square-foot expansion will bring more than 35
new jobs to the community.
Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc., a market leader
in parts distribution and repair services for hightech products and consumer electronics, announced
the relocation and expansion of one of its divisional
headquarters to
Gwinnett County. The
move of Encompass
subsidiary, Encompass Service Solutions, Inc. (ESS), will
create approximately 100 new jobs for Gwinnett and an
estimated $250,000 in capital investment.
{8}
Hettich America L.P., one of the leading global
manufacturers of hardware for kitchen cabinets,
residential furniture and appliances, announced that
it will consolidate its Georgia locations into one
larger Gwinnett-based location. The 150,000-squarefoot facility in Buford will bring 100 jobs to
Gwinnett with opportunity for 50 more in the next
few years.
QualTex Laboratories, a San Antonio, Texasbased independent blood testing lab, announced
its relocation and expansion to Norcross. The lab’s
expansion will create 125 high-wage jobs, investing
nearly $12 million over five years.
GORACON Windpower Access
Systems, a full solution provider
of climb assists, service lifts and
platform systems, announced
plans to expand its new
10,800-square-foot site to
Gwinnett County, creating 15
jobs in the community during
its first year and investing
more than $200K in capital.
Chinese electronics maker
Hisense Company Ltd.
announced that the company
would establish a 7,000-squarefoot research and development
center at its North American
headquarters in Suwanee. The
expansion marks the second Hisense
expansion
in Gwinnett
in less than
a year. In 2009, Hisense broke the news
that it would expand its Suwanee-based
Gwinnett operation with $800K in capital
investment and 35-40 new high-wage jobs over
the next few years.
We’ve long known that Gwinnett
County is a great place to do business,
and now with this strategically placed
R&D center, we’ll be even better poised
to serve our customers in North and
South American markets.
- Dr. Lin Lan, Vice President, Hisense
annual check-up
P G 10
business recruitment, retention & expansion
Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC), a non-profit healthcare network that provides high-quality services and facilities to
Gwinnett and surrounding areas, celebrated the groundbreaking of its new 40,000-square-foot Open Heart Center scheduled
to open in early 2012 . This $33 million venture will ensure the people of Gwinnett have access to a complete range of
advanced cardiovascular services.
more than 60 additional relocations
or expansions in gwinnett for 2009-2010:
A Caldwell List Company, Inc.
Advanced Control Systems, Inc.
Advanced Diabetic Solutions
Adventa Hospice – Amedisys
AE&E – Von Roll, Inc.
Allstaff HR Group
Alternative
Aramark Refreshment Services
Atlanta Classic Cars
Atlanta RE/MAX Center
Bearing & Drives, Inc.
Bear’s Best Golf Club
Bright Ideas Entertainment, LLC
Brightstar Healthcare
Capital City Mechanical
Services, Inc.
CareSouth Homecare Professionals
CH2M Hill
Cintas Corporation
Connectivity Wireless Solutions
Conway Data, Inc.
Core Roofing Systems
Corus 360
Deemer Dana & Froehle
Donald Camp, Inc.
Drs. Hugh & Anne Mazzawi, PA
Eagle Rock Distributing
Company
Edward Don & Company
Georgia Black Sheep
Attachment, LLC
Gorin – Hopper – McCoy, Inc.
Grant Thornton, LLP
Gresham Smith & Partners
Hussmann Corporation
Immucor, Inc.
Intelli Real Estate Services, Inc.
IQ Business Group, Inc.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Marvin Hewatt Enterprises
Metal Products Company
Milner, Inc.
Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc.
Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia
National Electronic Attachment
Ningbo Self Electronics Corp.
Noble Village at Sugarloaf
Northwest Examinating
Company, Inc.
Okabashi Brands, Inc.
Peak 10, Inc.
Plantation South
Possible Now
Presidio Network Solutions, Inc.
Prudential Georgia Realty
Remesas Quisqueyana, Inc.
Service Foods, Inc.
Slingshot Product
Development Group
Specialty Directory
Distribution Services, Inc.
Topcu Tile and Stone
TPA Owners &
Occupants Association
Trane
Trident Medical Imaging
Uni-Temp Refrigeration, Inc.
Unlimited Landscaping & Turf
Management, Inc.
U-TEC Construction, Inc.
U.S. Security Associates, Inc.
VeriStor Systems, Inc.
Viatek
Vista Marketing, Inc.
Wachovia/Wells FargoWOLF
Distributing Co.
Kaiser Permanente opens third
Gwinnett-based facility.
{9}
regional economic development
The Atlanta Film Festival partnered up with
Digitainment Georgia and the Gwinnett Chamber
to unveil Georgia’s Digital Entertainment (DE)
Industry White Paper during the Atlanta Film
Festival’s annual kick-off luncheon in April 2010. The
press conference allowed the media to learn more about
the rapidly growing digital entertainment industry that
encompasses film and broadcasting, digital marketing,
music and video games.
The Innovation Crescent, comprising 13 counties
from Atlanta to Athens and more than 95 percent
of Georgia’s life sciences resources, became its own
organization after the region’s contributors signed legal
documents to form the Innovation Crescent Regional
Partnership, LLC. The organization will utilize an
economic development strategy and focus its efforts
on job growth and wealth creation of the life sciences
industry within the region.
Conducted a mid-term course review on Partnership
Gwinnett’s strategy based on recent local and regional
economic trends to help realize the potential of its
strategy and seek out realistic and obtainable goals for
the next three years.
Community partnerships are vital to
successful economic development.
The companies we work with are very
impressed by Georgia’s collaborative
relationships with its communities, and
the successes Partnership Gwinnett has
enjoyed are a perfect example of the kind
of outcome they produce.
Held the 2nd annual Partnership Gwinnett
Summit, designed to give regional businesses the
unique opportunity to meet with industry leaders from
both the private and public sectors who are responsible
for guiding the community and economic development
of Gwinnett and the state of Georgia. The summitt
drew over 150 community and state leaders.
- Heidi Green, Commissioner,
Georgia Department of
Economic Development
Gwinnett created the Georgia Pathways program
to help relocating families get acclimated to the
community through arranged meetings with
representatives from the Gwinnett County Public
School System, local real estate professionals, the
Gwinnett Chamber, and other community leaders. The
program was further enhanced by engaging Atlanta-area
residents to act as hosts for the relocating families.
{ 10 }
Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership (ICRP) Board of Directors: [seated
from L to R] Gregg Simon, Secretary (Atlanta Development Authority);
Linda Moore (Barrow Economic Development Council); Nick Masino,
Chairman (Gwinnett Chamber); Rusty Haygood, Treasurer (Oconee County);
[standing from L to R] Matt Forshee (Athens-Clarke Economic Development
Foundation); David Hartnett, Vice Chair, Regional Partnerships (Atlanta
Chamber); Tedra Cheatham, Vice Chair, Committees (Greater North Fulton
Chamber); Michael Starling, Vice Chairman (DeKalb Office of Economic
Development); [not pictured] Don Beaver (Cobb Chamber)
annual check-up
global business
P G 10
Gwinnett business delegation meets with Wuxi, China officials.
Miyun Bridge, Beijing, China
Partnership Gwinnett formed the Global Business
Council, composed of international business executives,
global non-profit organization representatives and leaders
in the local international community, with a mission to
support the Gwinnett economic development team in
recruiting direct foreign investment into Greater Atlanta
as well as provide leads for recruitment and expansion of
international prospects.
Partnered with North American Bioproducts
Corporation (NABC), a global provider of
fermentation products and technology for fuel ethanol, to
build U.S. – Chinese connections while conducting over
30 strategic meetings in seven days.
Soo-Hyung Lee,
Korean Liaison Officer
Hosted Commissioner Tong and the Hong Kong
Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) for the first
quarter 2010 Global Business Connection. The luncheon
provided a unique opportunity for Gwinnett businesses
to build relationships with Hong Kong government
leaders while showcasing Hong Kong’s strong global
economy and its world of business opportunity.
Opened Gwinnett Chamber’s first international
economic development office in Wuxi, China and
presented to over 30 companies about the business
environment in Gwinnett. The international office seeks
investment opportunities for Georgians interested in
doing business in China.
Soo-Hyung Lee, liaison officer for the Korean Small
Business Corporation, began a two-year term out of the
Gwinnett Chamber office to enhance ties between small
and medium-size businesses in Korea and partners at the
state of Georgia.
Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett
Chamber have seen great success in China
over the last year. Identifying opportunity
is only one part to successful global
commerce with Asian communities.
Establishing and building relationships
are the true key to success here and that is
exactly what Gwinnett has done in China.
- Monty Chiu, Chief Legal Counsel,
Gwinnett Chamber Global Business
In partnership with the Korean American
Association of Greater Atlanta (KAAGA) hosted
a 16-person Korean delegation from Busan, Korea. The
Busan delegation selected Gwinnett County, Metro
Atlanta, Georgia for its one-stop visit to the U.S. because
of its existing global business recruitment efforts as
well as the solid Korean business community already
flourishing in the region.
Represented the Atlanta region at the Incheon Global
Fair & Festival, the world’s first exhibition on urban
development models for the future. Gwinnett Chamber
Economic Development Vice President Nick Masino
worked with representatives from UGA, Georgia Tech,
Emory, KAAGA and Craig Lesser, former Economic
Development Commissioner for the state of Georgia,
showcasing metro Atlanta’s pro-business climate.
Embarked on a 15-day economic development
recruitment mission across Asia, making stops
in Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Pohang City and
Seoul, which brought back over $3 million in capital
investment, 40 new jobs, and several industry expansions.
{ 11 }
education & workforce development
The Certified Work Ready Community grant
continued funding for high school teacher training and
lab equipment in the pilot “Career Pathways Program”
for biotechnology, creating six new course offerings.
2010 enrollment at nine Gwinnett high schools,
including the Gwinnett School of Math, Science
and Technology (GSMST), is projected to be over
700 students in each of these schools this year as the
community continues to focus on increasing high
school graduation rates.
Gwinnett Technical College (GTC) broke ground
on its new 78,000-square-foot Life Sciences Center
that will serve more than 3,000 students annually,
enabling GTC to expand both student capacity and
program offerings. GTC currently offers 10 life science
and healthcare programs with plans for more.
With funding from the ARC’s Workforce Investment
Board, GTC offered a Summer Intern Initiative
for low income high school youths to work in
local businesses. Over 200 students and businesses
participated in 2009.
Georgia Gwinnett College celebrated the
completion of its new, state-of-the-art Library and
Learning Center. The $28.3 million, 95,370 squarefoot building features a three-story, curtain wall of
windows and is designed to house 300,000 volumes
and a fusion of digital and print library holdings.
The building contains technologically advanced
classrooms, a presentation practice room, 38 private
study rooms and more.
Georgia Gwinnett College celebrated its first
student housing facility on campus this year. Student
residents will use the newest technology in card keys
to gain access to the building and their rooms. This
first phase of student housing includes a cluster of
three buildings, containing space for 1,029 students
and the second phase will house another 1,500
students with a parking deck included.
Gwinnett Tech breaks ground
on new Life Sciences Center.
{ 12 }
Continued support for the Community Based
Mentoring Program, based on work from
Partnership Gwinnett’s Educational Action
Committee and implemented by Gwinnett County
Public Schools, which provides training to community
leaders to become mentors to students. Since its
inception in 2009, over 100 volunteers have worked
with students from 23 of the district’s middle schools.
Collaborated with Gwinnett County Public Schools
in the areas of Technology and Life Sciences –
Maxwell High School is in the process of becoming
a charter school to increase flexibility in preparing
students for technical occupations.
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine – Georgia Campus – introduced the
newest pharmacy school in the state of Georgia, with
classes beginning in August 2010. The new program
received written approval from the national pharmacy
education accrediting body this year and has 75
students currently enrolled.
Partnership Gwinnett has taken a
leadership role in strategic business
development for the region, successfully
attracting targeted industries and
increasing job growth. Their efforts
are very much in step with Gwinnett
Technical College’s major role in
workforce development. We’re committed
to building a world-class workforce,
with a continued focus on creating and
developing the programs needed by
employers and students alike.
- Sharon Bartels, President,
Gwinnett Technical College
annual check-up
P G 10
public policy
Successfully lobbied State Lawmakers to pass the
following 2010 Legislative Priorities:
The Water Stewardship Act of 2010 creates, for the
first time, a serious culture of conservation in Georgia that
simultaneously puts in place initiatives to sustain and increase
long-term water supply while increasing Georgia’s leverage
and standing in the ongoing Tri-State water negotiations.
Partnered with the Gwinnett County Public School
System to successfully maintain current revenue resources
available to our local board of education.
Supported House Bill 1069, a Georgia income tax credit –
dubbed the Angel Tax Credit – of up to $50K annually for
angel investors who invest in startup technology companies
headquartered in Georgia.
Created and hosted annual Government Affairs and
Transportation Summits to connect business and elected
officials with each other and launch advocacy efforts for
the 2012 Regional Transportation Funding Referendum,
the 2010 Referendum on SR 821 allowing more flexible
accounting practices for Georgia DOT, and more.
Led the Chamber’s largest delegation to date (70 leaders) on
the Strategic Leadership Visit to the Denver region in
Colorado to study best practices in economic development,
education, transportation, arts and tourism, revitalization, and
business-university partnerships.
The Chamber’s “Finish the Job” Lobbying Campaign
helped secure passage of one of Georgia’s most historic
transportation funding bills in generations.
The Statewide Transportation Act of 2010 provides a
one penny sales tax referendum, beginning July 2012, that
could result in more than $10 billion in new funding for
transit, roads and freight over the next 10 years.
Joined Georgia Gwinnett College in successfully lobbying
against $1.2 million in cuts for Georgia Gwinnett College’s
Special Funding Initiative and reinstated $7 million in the
bond package for laboratories for the college.
Successfully lobbied against the elimination of the Georgia
Department of Economic Development’s regional
project managers program, saving a program that resulted in
9,754 jobs and $1.24 billion in capital investment in Georgia.
Assisted Gwinnett Medical Center in successfully
rallying business community support to pressure Emory and
Piedmont Hospitals to drop their lawsuits, opening the door
for Gwinnett Medical’s open heart surgery program.
quality of life
Community Improvement Districts (CID)
Opportunity Zones (OZ)
Gwinnett’s CID’s have implemented numerous
road improvement projects as well as safety and
beautification improvements and a fourth CID, the
Lilburn CID, was formed.
In 2010, Gwinnett applied for and received two
designated opportunity zones in the Gwinnett Village
CID area and the City of Norcross.
The 2030 Unified Plan
Gwinnett approved its 2030 Unified Plan, created to
guide future land use and community development
decisions. It received the 2010 Outstanding Achievement
in County Planning Award by the National Association
of County Planners and the County Planning Division of
American Planning.
Tax Allocation Districts (TAD)
With the recent adoption of Tax Allocation Districts, the
county and cities have put in place a number of powerful
resources for spurring pockets of redevelopment.
Redevelopment Sites
Partnership Gwinnett, in partnership with the Council
For Quality Growth, the CID’s and the redevelopment
task force, rolled out the top 12 redevelopment sites in
Gwinnett County at the 2009 Redevelopment Forum.
Recovery Zone Bonds (RZB)
Gwinnett County announced its county-wide designation
as a recovery zone, standing ready to provide a tax
exempt financing opportunity for $62 million in bonds
to qualified businesses.
A solid transportation infrastructure
is key to the success of any economic
development initiative. Partnership
Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber’s
support of the transportation bill this
year demonstrates how essential local and
regional support to statewide initiatives is
to public policy.
- Todd Long, Director of Planning,
Georgia DOT
{ 13 }
marketing & outreach initiatives
Marketing/Public Relations
Enhanced Global Marketing and public relations
strategies to support international project wins and
thriving global investments in China and Korea.
Created a video press component to add to its
outreach efforts, elevating Gwinnett as a regional
leader in public relations.
Released approximately 30 press announcements in the
first half of 2010, to promote business development and
activity within the Partnership Gwinnett initiative.
Updated existing Web site by creating a more
comprehensive and user-friendly layout that identifies
the needs of the local community and organizations
as well as the most recent Chamber-led economic
development programs.
Developed the Gwinnett Global Business section in
the Web site showcasing Global Business Council efforts,
foreign trade zones, international strategy and recruitment
incentives, as well as providing individual recognition of
both China and Korea.
hYPe, Gwinnett’s young professional’s organization,
named 2 new chair positions for public relations efforts
and has successfully reached 1,000 registered members.
The program continues to bring together young talent
and build Gwinnett’s next generation of community and
business leaders.
Outreach
Launched “Let’s Do Business Gwinnett,” an
economic stimulus plan where public and private
sectors team up to stabilize housing prices and
stimulate consumer, business and public sector
spending. Through these actions, Gwinnett could
potentially see $1 billion in economic impact and
significant job growth over the next five years.
Partnered with Gwinnett County Government to create
“Engage Gwinnett: Citizens Committee for the
Future of Gwinnett County,” a citizen-led initiative
that spent six
months and
more than 2,000
volunteer hours
looking at the
community’s needs for current and future government
services and proposed funding strategies to pay for those
services over the next five years.
{ 14 }
Developed the revitalizegwinnett.com Web site
designed to communicate the many redevelopment
tools [from opportunity zones (OZs) to tax allocation
districts (TADs) and more] that Gwinnett has
available to businesses and companies looking to
expand or relocate.
annual check-up
P G 10
looking ahead
The 2010-2011 fiscal year is a crucial and exciting year for Partnership Gwinnett as we look forward to
continuing our momentum and building Gwinnett’s contribution to the vibrant metro Atlanta region.
Great challenge presents great opportunity, and as our strategy moves forward, Partnership Gwinnett will:
Formalize a network of “angel” investors and
continue to develop new initiatives focused on potential
opportunities in Gwinnett’s target business sectors,
including the development of marketing materials,
training and support programs, and advertising aimed
at small business owners.
Revise and update our Top 40 list and visit 50
existing businesses – 10 in each target sector.
Continue to acknowledge, nurture and celebrate
local small-business success stories.
Continue to develop a comprehensive International
Trade Initiative focused on helping local firms
connect with import and export opportunities and
coordinate meetings and programs based on priority
international markets.
Conduct an international business recruitment
trip to Gangnam Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Continue to work to increase high school
graduation rates by developing and participating in
mentoring and job-shadowing programs.
Continue to lobby for two- and four-year degree needs
of targeted business sectors and support new
degree programs at two- and four-year colleges in
Gwinnett.
Update and refine top redevelopment sites in
the County.
Promote enhanced mass transit capacity in
Gwinnett, including the possibility of light rail
connections to MARTA.
Have the Public Safety and Code Enforcement
Task Force give valuable presentations to the
community.
Develop a task force to evaluate how to promote
the Success Lives Here brand at entry points and
gateways around the county.
Maintain and grow the hYPe networking group and
continue recruiting young professionals for entry into
the Leadership Gwinnett program.
Study alternative reuse of empty big-box retail space.
I am honored to serve as the Partnership Gwinnett Chairman
this year. We have had great success this year and continue to set
goals that will push our community, business and local leaders to
their maximum potential. I look forward to continued growth of
Gwinnett County and the metro Atlanta region.
- Terri Jondahl, 2010 Partnership Gwinnett Chairman
{ 15 }
partnership gwinnett investors (As of July 2010)
ANGELS ($50,000+)
Cisco
Crescent Communities
(River Club & Sugarloaf)
Gwinnett Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Gwinnett Medical Center
Kaiser Permanente of Georgia
FOUNDERS
($30,000 - $49,999)
Gwinnett Village CID
PARTNERS
($20,000 - $29,999)
City of Duluth
Gwinnett Place CID
Gwinnett Technical College
Jackson EMC
John D. Stephens, Co.
ADVISORS
($15,000 - $19,999)
Andersen, Tate & Carr, LLC
CAB Incorporated
E2E Resources, Inc.
Garrard Construction
Group, Inc.
Georgia Power
Golden Stella
Gwinnett Community Bank
Gwinnett PRADO
SunTrust
The Brand Banking Company
United Community Bank
Wachovia
WIKA Instrument Corporation
BUILDERS
($10,000 - $14,999)
AT&T
BB&T
CEO Business Centers
City of Norcross
City of Sugar Hill
City of Suwanee
Dekalb County Office of
Economic Development
Evermore CID
Fox Building Company
Georgian Bank
Home Depot
Manpower
McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP
Precision Planning, Inc.
Primerica
Quantum Bank
Sage Software
Stiefel Laboratories
Storey Morrow Company
ASSOCIATES
($5,000 - $9,999)
Adreka
AGCO Corporation
ARCADIS
Cardiovascular Group P.C.
CB Richard Ellis, Inc.
Charter Business
City of Lilburn
Colliers, Spectrum & Cauble
Council for Quality Growth
First Pro
Garden Plaza at Lawrenceville
Georgia Gwinnett
College Foundation
Georgia Trend Magazine
Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP
Hire Dynamics, LLC
IBM
Master Works
Mathias Corporation
Merial
Merrill Lynch
NEO, Inc.
Pond & Company
Rob Mottola of
East2West Media Group
Russell Landscape Group, Inc.
Sign-a-rama Duluth
Stephen Gould Corporation
Street Smarts
Suniva
T-Mobile
Uline
Verizon Wireless
Yerkes Primate Research Center
COMMUNITY
INVESTORS
(< $5,000)
Air Harbor
Aircraft Specialists Jet Center
Allgood Pest Solutions
AlphaGraphics
Altus Healthcare & Hospice Inc.
Angus McRae
Insurance Brokerage
Annandale Village
Ariete International
Ask Staffing
Atlanta Falcons Physical
Therapy Center
Atlanta Gas Light
Atlantic Pharmaceuticals
Atlanta Regional Commission
Aurora Theatre
Automated Voice &
Data Solutions, LLC
AXA Advisors
BrightStar Healthcare
Canvas Systems
Carter-Rockbridge
General Dentistry, PC
CHA
Chandler, Britt Jay & Beck, LLC
City of Auburn
City of Berkeley Lake
City of Braselton
City of Dacula
City of Grayson
City of Loganville
Clough, Harbour
& Associates LLP
Conway Data /
Site Selection Magazine
Croft & Bender
CV Transport Inc
Cypress Communications
Dail Communications Inc.
Development Authority
of Gwinnett
Elesys North America, Inc.
EMS Technologies
Encompass
Express Employment
Professionals
Future Security, Inc.
Gensler
Georgia BIO
Georgia Jet
Grubb & Ellis
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful
Gwinnett Ind.
Development Authority
Hettich
ICS Inc.
Indoff
Intersect Group
Jordan Jones & Goulding
KAAGA
Kellogg Partners
Kraft Foods
Leapley Construction
Lynx Real Estate Advisors Inc.
Marian Lucia
Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber have a business
policy to drive continual improvement and success for their investors
and members. The information contained in this report is derived
from internal research as well as a host of public and private sources.
Although we strive to maintain the integrity of every specification
and piece of information herein, we are not responsible for any
discrepancies found between our report and other sources.
Marsh & McLennan
Company, Inc.
MegaMart, Inc
Mercer
Merrill Lynch - CRS Group
Micromeritics
Morris Manning & Martin
Newmark Knight Frank
Norcross Downtown
Development Authority
Noro-Moseley Partners
Notre Dame Academy
Office Creations
Office Depot
Optimus Solutions
Performance Improvement
Group
Prudential Georgia Realty
Quality Technical Services
Renew Enterprises Inc.
Rocket IT
Sago Networks
Site ROI, Inc.
Skyrocket Financial Solutions
Southern Dock Products
Spectral Response
Spinner Atlanta, Inc.
Stites and Harbison
Summit Georgia
Synergy America, Inc.
Systematic Inventive Thinking
Technical Innovation
Technology Real Estate Advisors
The Law Group of
Geerdes & Kim LLC
The McGarity Group
Theragenics Corporation
TIBS, a division of
M.C. DEAN, Inc.
Town of Braselton
TSI Solutions
Turner Broadcasting
Systems, Inc.
Turnerboone Contract
Ultra Telecom
Vaccines On The Go
Wakefield Beasley
Wayne & Anna Shackelford
Web Industries of Atlanta
Webb, Tanner, Powell,
Mertz & Wilson
Winfield Realty Group
Wolverton & Associates, Inc.
6500 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097
770.232.3000
www.partnershipgwinnett.com