Media Contact:
Alyssa Eubanks
770-813-3388
Click here to download a PDF of this press release.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson Delivers 2025 State of Gwinnett County Address
Council for Quality Growth & Gwinnett Chamber Host 1,000+ for Record-Breaking Crowd
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Council for Quality Growth and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 State of Gwinnett County Address. Over 1,000 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses leaders, residents, and partners of Gwinnett County gathered to hear Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson’s 5th address at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville. The 2025 State of Gwinnett was presented by Atlas and Axis Companies.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson has set clear themes for each of her past State of the County addresses. This year was no different with “One Gwinnett” lettered across the stage. She began with a clear message about Gwinnett’s unity. “We are at a defining moment across the country where we see efforts to divide and diminish,” said the Chairwoman. “But here in Gwinnett, we choose to move forward as one.” She reflected on the snowstorm that struck Gwinnett and metro Atlanta in January. She applauded the work of public safety officers and county resources to respond as one to keep residents safe and warm. “What could’ve bought our county to a standstill only strengthened our resolve,” she said. “We face challenges together as One Gwinnett.”
Chairwoman Hendrickson proudly reported yet another staggering year of economic investment in the region’s 2nd most populated county. 19 economic development projects created 1,600 jobs and $275 million in new investment last year, including the redevelopment of the former Cisco campus with the expansion of Souto Food. Hendrickson stated the county is shifting focus to revitalization projects with equitable economic growth in mind. “We’re putting our community to work,” she said, “while also thinking about how these developments can work for our communities.”
[Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson Delivers 2025 State of Gwinnett County Address.]
Her position on transit and mobility expansion in Gwinnett remains clear. “Our transit plan will continue to be our guiding framework as we strive to enhance safety, reliability, and roadway experience,” said Hendrickson. Research conducted after the failed transit referendum in November shows broad support for many parts of the plan, including the airport ride and micro transit. Gwinnett’s micro transit network continues to grow, having expanded to Norcross and the Gateway85 CID area last year. “There’s much more we can do that makes our one community one ride away from being more accessible,” she said. “Congestion is not an issue we will leave to become a bigger problem for our future generations.” Gwinnett County will add 250,000 new residents over the next 25 years, according to ARC projections.
The Chairwoman also addressed the housing challenges in her county. In 2024, the Board of Commissioners voted to establish the Affording Housing Development Fund and invest $21 million to address housing needs. She reported 650 affordable housing units in the county’s pipeline and a historic purchase of an extended-stay hotel for housing conversion just last week. This $13 million investment by Gwinnett County will turn a blighted property into 73 units for homeless youth, seniors, and households below a certain income level. “We’re working together to ensure that our residents have access to safe, stable, and dignified housing,” said Hendrickson.
Hendrickson’s 2025 address was focused on opportunity as much as it was unity. She spoke to the county’s workforce development efforts, affirming active engagement with Gwinnett employers on education and training initiatives. She noted Gwinnett’s top ranking as the most diverse county in the United States. “Diversity is more than a unique feature of our county. It is a fundamental strength,” she said. She also highlighted public safety enhancements and innovative technologies working together to keep Gwinnet in the 88th percentile for county safety. Additionally, the county remains committed to public health resources with the new Gwinnett Community Resource Center breaking ground in just a few days. “Opportunity is most powerful when it is open to everyone,” said the Chairwoman. “In Gwinnett, our strength comes from ensuring every person has the chance to contribute, succeed, and belong.”
As she concluded her 5th State of the County address, the four other members of the Board of Commissioners joined her on stage in show of unity. “We’re building spaces that reflect our communities,” she said. “We’re ensuring that every decision we make reflects our values.”
Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, highlighted the role of policy and planning in Gwinnett and the region. “Strategic infrastructure and development initiatives are essential to Gwinnett’s continued success,” he said. “This annual address allows us to reflect on progress and align efforts to support the region’s growth.” Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, added “Chairwoman Hendrickson’s leadership in infrastructure, service delivery, and mobility reinforces Gwinnett’s position as a key economic driver in metro Atlanta. The county’s focus on long-term planning and investment ensures continued opportunities for businesses and their employees.”
The Council for Quality Growth works with Gwinnett County and its 17 local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. The Council’s State of Gwinnett County annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies and other local leaders from across the region.
The 2025 State of Gwinnett also featured remarks from Glenn Page, District Chair for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. Presenting sponsors Jacqueline Hinman, CEO of Atlas, and Dean Collins, Owner & President of Axis Companies, each delivered special remarks and video presentations on behalf of their companies.
A photo gallery and the recording of the full event will be made in the coming days at https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/news-press/.
[From left: Nick Masino, Glenn Page, Jacqueline Hinman, Chairwoman Hendrickson, Dean Collins, Michael Paris]
About the State of the County/Agency Series
The Council for Quality Growth hosts 10 ‘State of’ events across the region, including 8 counties and 2 agencies. We work in close collaboration with the office of the County Chairs in Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale, as well as with leadership at MARTA and the Atlanta Beltline, to provide a platform for our counties and agency partners deliver an update on achievements, projects, and the future that is specifically geared toward the business community and the Council’s membership. A full calendar of the Council’s 2025 Signature Events, including the State of the County/Agency series, can be viewed and downloaded here: 2025 Programs Calendar
About the Council for Quality Growth
The Council for Quality Growth is a trade organization that works to ensure continued growth and economic success for generations to come by providing advocacy, information, and education to its members. In its 40th year, the Council is committed to the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth and is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to the growth and development industry. The Council addresses, head-on, strategic economic planning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. For more information, please visit http://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.
###
