The Gwinnett Chamber brought together more than 200 business and community leaders on May 14 for its On Topic: State of Rowen luncheon, where officials discussed the impact of UCB’s recent $2 billion investment in Gwinnett County and the future direction of advanced manufacturing and life sciences in Georgia.
The gathering highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and public-private partnerships to secure major projects like UCB’s. The panel, introduced by Gwinnett Chamber President and CEO Nick Masino, included Nicolas Debruyne, U.S. Head of Engineering at UCB; Nicole Love Hendrickson, Chairwoman of Gwinnett County; Mason Ailstock, President & CEO of the Rowen Foundation; and moderator Kevin Carmichael, Senior Vice President at Partnership Gwinnett. Speakers said that coordination among local government, businesses, and organizations was key to attracting large-scale investments.
Panelists focused on how collaboration is shaping workforce development opportunities, supplier engagement, corporate partnerships, speed to market for new developments, long-term economic competitiveness for the region, and Rowen’s role as a global innovation hub following UCB’s commitment. Chairwoman Hendrickson said that “the UCB project reflects years of long-range planning, infrastructure readiness, and relationship-building.”
The discussion also addressed plans for Rowen itself—a master-planned development covering 2,000 acres in Gwinnett County—which is positioned as Georgia’s largest knowledge community. The program recognized contributions from various partners including Governor Brian Kemp’s office; Georgia Department of Economic Development; Metro Atlanta Chamber; Georgia Quick Start (administered locally by Gwinnett Technical College); Georgia Power; City of Buford Natural Gas; the Rowen Foundation; Partnership Gwinnett; and others.
The event reflects ongoing efforts by the chamber to promote business growth in one of America’s most diverse counties. The organization supports over 2,100 member businesses through more than 220 annual events designed to encourage networking across sectors according to the official website.
Looking ahead, the chamber announced its next On Topic luncheon will feature Jerry Parrish—Chief Economist for Metro Atlanta Chamber—providing a mid-year economic update.
