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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 6, 2026
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson Delivers 2026 State of Gwinnett County Address
Council for Quality Growth & Gwinnett Chamber Host 1,100+ for Record-Breaking Crowd
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Council for Quality Growth and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 State of Gwinnett County Address. Over 1,100 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses leaders, residents, and partners of Gwinnett County gathered to hear Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson’s 6th address at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville. The 2026 State of Gwinnett was presented by Amazon, Atlas, and Axis Companies.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson framed her 2026 State of the County address around the theme “Rooted in Gwinnett,” reflecting on the county’s legacy of intentional growth while outlining a vision for continued economic stability, opportunity, and redevelopment in Gwinnett County. She opened by emphasizing that the county’s success has never been accidental, but the result of decades of thoughtful leadership and disciplined planning. “What you just saw is the story of this community,” she said. “It was proof that this county did not grow by chance — it grew by choice and discipline, by leaders who planted trees knowing others would one day sit in the shade.”
The Chairwoman noted that Gwinnett’s long-standing fiscal discipline continues to position the county as one of the most stable local governments in the Southeast, highlighting its AAA bond rating and commitment to responsible budgeting. Through careful financial management and collaboration with the Board of Commissioners and county leadership, the county maintained all core services while identifying efficiencies across departments to ensure continued investment in public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. Economic development also remained a key highlight of the address, with momentum supported by Partnership Gwinnett helping facilitate projects that will bring more than 1,100 new jobs and $395 million in capital investment to the county.
Hendrickson also introduced initiatives aimed at expanding opportunity for small businesses, including the Procurement Readiness and Opportunity Plan, or PRO Plan, which will help smaller firms prepare for and compete for county contracting opportunities. The initiative will strengthen support through the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center while creating clearer pathways for businesses to grow through public sector partnerships.
A major highlight of the address was Hendrickson’s announcement of a new redevelopment opportunity in western Gwinnett. The county will issue a request for proposals to redevelop a 106-acre county-owned site along Jimmy Carter Boulevard near Interstate 85, which she described as one of the region’s most significant redevelopment opportunities. “I’m proud to announce that starting today, we’ll be requesting proposals to redevelop the property,” Hendrickson said. “We anticipate that this transformative project will attract new businesses and talent, creating a vibrant destination that reflects Gwinnett County’s diversity and economic vitality.”
She also highlighted continued progress on the redevelopment of Gwinnett Place Mall, where the county is advancing plans to transform the former mall into a mixed-use destination with housing, retail, and greenspace. Hendrickson also spoke about long-term investments in sustainability, parks, and quality of life, including progress by the Rowen Foundation and the forthcoming Convergence Center, the gateway to a 2,000-acre innovation district focused on collaboration across agriculture, medicine, and environmental sciences.
[Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson Delivers 2026 State of Gwinnett County Address.]
Public safety and community service also remained central themes of the address. Hendrickson honored fallen officer Pradeep Tamang and recognized the work of Gwinnett’s public safety personnel, emphasizing that safety is built not only through emergency response but also through prevention, mentorship programs, and investments in technology that improve traffic safety and response times across the county.
As she concluded, the Chairwoman reflected on Gwinnett’s history and the responsibility of today’s leaders to steward its future. She noted that the county’s namesake, Button Gwinnett, signed the Declaration of Independence nearly 250 years ago, underscoring the county’s longstanding spirit of civic leadership. “Look ahead twenty years,” Hendrickson said. “Another generation will sit in those parks. Another family will build a life here. Another leader will stand on this stage. The future of Gwinnett is not a distant dream — it’s a decision.”
Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, said, “Gwinnett continues to demonstrate how thoughtful planning, infrastructure investment, and responsible development create sustainable growth, and that—at its heart—is the very mission of the Council.” Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, added, “Gwinnett’s strength lies in its ability to connect business leadership with public policy in a way that drives measurable results. The State of the County is more than an event; it is a strategic representation of business and government aligning to ensure Gwinnett remains accessible and well positioned for long-term prosperity.”
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 2026 State of Gwinnett also featured remarks from Katherine Atteberry, Stormwater Planning Manager at the Atlanta Regional Commission, who delivered an update on behalf of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. Terreta Rodgers, Head of Community Affairs – Georgia Region at Amazon, and Todd Long, Georgia Division Lead at Atlas, provided presenting sponsor remarks, and Axis Companies shared a video presentation.
A photo gallery and the recording of the full event will be made available in the coming days at https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/news-press/.
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 2026 Signature Events, including the State of the County/Agency series, can be viewed and downloaded here: 2026 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 41st 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.
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