The Rowen Foundation will officially break ground on Rowen, the 2,000-acre knowledge community in eastern Gwinnett County, on Dec. 9, 2022 at 2 p.m. But instead of turning over more dirt, Governor Brian Kemp and Gwinnett Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson and special guests will plant the first of what will eventually be thousands of new trees on site. Groundbreaking will take place on-site directly across from New Rock Springs Baptist Church at 3002 Drowning Creek Road in Dacula.
Rowen will be a mixed-use community that brings together entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators in the fields of agriculture, medicine and the environment. Its ambitions are global as it seeks tenants who are striving for global leadership while leveraging Georgia’s uniquely talented and diverse workforce and Rowen’s unique location between Athens and Atlanta in Gwinnett. The site will eventually include a mix of high, medium- and low-density lab, office, civic and limited residential and retail spaces, along with publicly accessible parks, community spaces and trails.
At complete build out, Rowen is projected to bring nearly 100,000 jobs to Georgia, thus contributing $8-10 billion into the state’s economy annually. The site will build on the land’s rich history of environmental stewardship, while changing the economic and social trajectory for generations to come.
Six schools from Gwinnett competing for Shuler Awards
ArtsBridge Foundation has announced the statewide list of high schools that will participate in the 15th Annual Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards for the 2022-23 school year, including six schools from Gwinnett. This year yielded schools from 22 Georgia counties.
The public and private high schools participating in the 2022-23 Shuler Awards include the following Gwinnett high schools: Collins Hill, Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Lanier, Mountain View and Providence Christian Academy.
The Shuler Awards or The Shulers—named for the Marietta-born stage and screen star Shuler Hensley—will be celebrated on April 20 and broadcast live from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The evening includes fun purple-carpet arrivals, live performances by nominees, and awards presented in 18 different categories. Scholarship recipients will also be announced.
Elizabeth Lenhart, director of arts education for ArtsBridge Foundation, says: “While about half of the Shuler Awards competitors represent Metro Atlanta high schools, it’s exciting to see participating schools spanning the Peach state, including five counties competing for the first time.”
Since 2009, the Shuler Awards program has engaged over 60,000 students from 142 schools and 38 counties/school systems. Registrations for 50 schools were completed in a record 10 minutes for the 2022-23 season, with two schools also securing competition berths from past COVID-related changes.
In the months ahead, the 70 volunteer adjudicators will fan out across Georgia to attend live performances by hopeful high school theater students and departments that will be judged in 17 categories with nominees announced in March. The April 20 Shuler Awards event replicates the national Tony Awards® ceremony and is broadcast live and statewide via Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Mountain Park Association asks residents to complete survey
The Mountain Park Community Association has created a six question survey and asks its residents to complete the survey. The topic surrounds what should be built on the former Olympic Tennis site property at the interchange of Park Place and U.S. Highway 78. Those interested are free to share this survey link with anyone in the area who may have an interest.
Deadline for taking the survey by December 12.
- You may take the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XD9KN7K
United Way asks readers to complete survey about equity
The United Way of Greater Atlanta in Gwinnett is partnering with social impact firm, Chrysalis Lab, to conduct an assessment of the community equity challenges, opportunities, and aspirations and seeking input from residents.
Click this link to the survey: Gwinnett Equity Survey. It is available in four languages: English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. Findings will be used to inform an approach for the development of a Gwinnett Community Equity Plan. The United Way hopes to reach as many people as possible and to reflect the rich diversity of Gwinnett County residents across geography, race, age, gender, and other identities.
Respondents are asked to complete the survey by December 16. Those completing the survey will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a $100 VISA gift card.
- For more information on how to get involved with the Gwinnett Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Journey, contact Denise Townsend at dtownsend@unitedwayatlanta.org.
County workers getting one-time cost-of-living payment
County employees are getting a raise. County Commissioners this week approved a one-time cost of living payment for county government employees to support retention and to help mitigate the effects of inflation on the county workforce. On December 16, eligible full-time employees will receive a $1,500 payment and regular part-time employees will receive a $750 payment.
Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said the payments are needed as the County faces challenges with retaining first responders, utility workers and hard-to-fill positions across the organization. “Gwinnett residents deserve sustainable, high-quality county government services and those are made possible by a strong, reliable workforce. We intend to keep Gwinnett a preferred community where everyone can thrive by being the public sector employer of choice.”
Funding for the one-time payment is possible because of budget savings realized during the 2022 fiscal year.
Time to apply for $1,000 EMC scholarships
Jackson Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) is accepting applications for the annual Walter Harrison Scholarship, which provides $1,000 for academic expenses to students pursuing post-secondary education at Georgia colleges and technical schools.
Applicants must be accepted, or enrolled currently, as a full- or part-time student, at any accredited two- or four-year university, college, or vocational-technical institute in Georgia. Student applicants must live in a primary residence served by Jackson EMC. The scholarship is merit-based, and students are evaluated on financial need, grade point average, SAT scores, academic standing, scholastic honors and community involvement.
To receive an application, students should contact their school guidance counselor or visit www.jacksonemc.com/walterharrisonscholarship. Fifteen students across Georgia will be awarded scholarships, which are sponsored by Georgia’s 41 electric cooperatives. Completed applications are due by January 31, 2023.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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