|
Greetings!
Happy spring, District 3!
I'd like to thank everyone who attended my recent State of District 3 Town Hall last month. When I campaigned for Commissioner, I emphasized restoring trust in local government. These town halls help achieve that goal by being accessible and transparent.
We covered accomplishments, strategic priorities, opportunities, and the progress of many exciting projects in District 3. Even with the successes, there’s always room for improvement, and we can only achieve that by moving forward together. If you were unable to join us, the town hall is available for viewing on demand.
| |
Recently, I had the honor of presenting a proclamation on behalf of the Board of Commissioners to Gwinnett resident, Mr. James L. Davis at his 103rd birthday celebration on March 31. Mr. Davis is a World War II veteran who served with the United States Army in the Pacific and at the Jungle Nair Camp in Hawaii. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and earned numerous awards for his outstanding leadership.
After more than a century of life, Mr. Davis remains a distinguished member of the Gwinnett community, and his courage and wisdom reflect the very best of our County.
Keep reading below for more news and opportunities this month in Gwinnett!
| | Happening Around Gwinnett | | |
Recycle your used items for Earth Day
Have some hard-to-recycle items? Join us — rain or shine — at Gwinnett's annual Earth Day recycling event on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00am to noon at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Drop off items that are typically more difficult to recycle, such as electronics, latex and oil-based paints, tires without rims, paper, and clothing. Volunteers will remove items from disposable containers in your vehicle's trunk or back seat. For a list of acceptable items and more details, visit GCSolidWaste.com.
| | |
Key dates for upcoming elections
Remember these important dates and confirm your voter registration by the April 20 registration deadline:
- General Primary/Nonpartisan Election: May 19
- General Primary/Nonpartisan Election Runoff: June 16
Advance voting for the General Primary/Nonpartisan Election will take place April 27 through May 15 at 13 advance voting locations. Visit MVP.SOS.GA.gov to check your voter registration status, find your polling place, and view sample ballots.
Fechas claves para las próximas elecciones
Recuerda estas fechas importantes y asegúrate de que tu inscripción de votante esté actualizada:
- Elección Primaria General/No Partidista: 19 de Mayo
- Desempate de Elección Primaria General/No Partidista: 16 de Junio
La votación adelantada para las Elecciónes Primaria General/No Partidista comienza del 27 de Abril al 15 de Mayo en 13 lugares de votación adelantada. Visite MVP.SOS.GA.gov para verificar sus incripciones de votantes, ubicar su lugar de votación y ver boletas de muestra.
| | |
Apply for the Gwinnett Youth Commission
Calling all rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors! Applications are now open for the 2026 to 2027 Gwinnett Youth Commission through Friday, April 17. This competitive summer program gives students an inside look at how Gwinnett County Government operates with behind-the-scenes tours, leadership training, and opportunities to connect with local officials and peers. The program runs Wednesday, June 3 through Thursday, July 23 and is limited to 32 students representing a cross section of Gwinnett County.
In 2025 alone, Youth Commissioners contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours, making a lasting impact across the community. Step forward, get involved, and join the next cohort. Apply today!
| | |
Multicultural Festival returns with a new location
Join us on Saturday, May 2 from noon to 4:00pm for the annual Multicultural Festival and County Government Open House! For the first time, the festival will be held at Sugarloaf Mills. Residents of all ages can enjoy a fun-filled day with cultural performances from around the globe, bounce houses, carnival rides, touch-a-truck with public safety vehicles, and more.
Email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com or call 678.442.6520 for more information. Sugarloaf Mills is located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.
| | |
ZIP Portal payment page update now live
Gwinnett County has successfully implemented an update to the ZIP Portal payment page, providing a cleaner layout and improved user experience when making online payments. As part of this update, customers will now be securely redirected to a new payment processing page at GwinnettCounty.Teller.Net to complete transactions. This redirect is part of the normal payment process and continues to use the County’s secure payment system. All required payment information remains the same, and customers can continue making payments through the ZIP Portal as usual.
| | |
UCB to build $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Gwinnett
In March, Gwinnett County proudly announced that UCB has selected Rowen as the site of its first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility following a competitive, multi-state site selection process. UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, focused on developing innovative medicines for people living with severe neurological and autoimmune conditions.
At a planned $2 billion investment, this is the largest capital investment in Gwinnett County’s history. It is expected to generate more than 330 permanent full-time jobs and an estimated $5 billion in total economic impact. The 460,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility sits on about 79 acres in the Rowen knowledge community in Gwinnett County. It will leverage AI, robotics, and advanced automation while prioritizing natural resource efficiency, staying true to Rowen's vision of advancing discoveries that transform and enrich lives for generations to come.
Watch the announcement video to hear more from Chairwoman Hendrickson about UCB’s investment.
| | |
District 3 explores new ways to strengthen community connectivity
As District 3 continues to grow, Gwinnett County is looking at innovative ways to support safer, more connected public spaces for residents. Technology improvements — such as enhanced public Wi‑Fi in parks, community centers, and gathering areas — help close the digital divide and expand access to learning, county services, and community resources. These efforts ensure students, families, and older adults have reliable access to the tools and information they need, strengthening engagement and supporting equity across neighborhoods.
The County is also exploring modern infrastructure solutions, such as smart lighting, to enhance safety and improve the overall experience in public spaces. These tools give us better visibility, help us respond to issues more quickly, and support the creation of welcoming, well-maintained environments that reflect our Vibrant Communities Framework. By investing in sustainable, people‑centered solutions, Gwinnett continues to plan for a future where all residents can thrive and remain connected to the opportunities around them.
| | |
Share your input on the Sugarloaf Small Area Plan
Sugarloaf is one of Gwinnett's leading destinations for entertainment, business, and education. Anchored by the Gas South District, Sugarloaf Mills, Gwinnett Technical College, and major employers, the area attracts visitors from across the country and serves thousands of residents.
The Sugarloaf Small Area Plan, led in partnership with the Sugarloaf Community Improvement District, will guide future development and infrastructure investments in the area. Learn more about the plan and take the survey to share your thoughts at GwinnettCounty.com/SugarloafPlan.
| | |
Purrs & Paws: A Kitten Shower
What is a kitten shower? Exactly what it sounds like — a baby shower for kittens! Take the fear out of bottle feeding and basic kitten care. Join us for a hands-on class to learn how to care for a newborn kitten, proper techniques to bottle feed a kitten, what supplies are needed when caring for a kitten, and how to become an Animal Welfare foster.
The event takes place on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center. This event is for all ages and free to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged.
| | Special Events and Happenings | | |
Music on the Square: Jazz
Friday, April 24 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Jazz up your night with music and dancing under the stars with the PhD Band. This is a rain or shine event; in case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors to the Superior Court Ballroom. Open to all ages. Register online. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville. Event cost: Free!
Wilderness Survival Skills 101
Tuesday, April 28 from 10:00am to noon
Learn the essential skills for surviving in the wild! In this hands-on class, we'll teach you the basics of building a fire and constructing simple shelter using natural materials. Our experienced instructors will guide you through safe, practical techniques to keep you warm, dry, and protected in outdoor environments. Perfect for beginners looking to gain confidence in their survival skills! Open to ages 7 and up. Register online. Lenora Park, 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville. Event cost: Free!
Explore the Library: Jedi Academy
Monday, May 4 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Do you have what it takes to become a Jedi? Explore your library by completing the scavenger hunt and receiving your holocron. Trade in your holocron for a light saver and practice your Jedi skills by keeping balloons off the ground. You may even get a chance to take a swing at the Death Star pinata. There will also be craft stations and a Jedi Library with books available for check out. Open to ages 6-11. Gwinnett County Public Library Five Forks Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. Event cost: Free!
| | Commissioner Watkins in the Community | | I enjoyed talking to everyone who came out for my State of District 3 Town Hall. All of us working together is the reason our district thrives. Anytime you have questions, reach out to me at Jasper.Watkins@GwinnettCounty.com. Let's boldly grow like no other community has grown before! | | |
It was my honor to be part of the Fire and EMS Recruit Graduation & Promotion Ceremony last week. This is one of the toughest training programs in the nation, and these graduates have already tested their mettle and will continue to do so.
So, congratulations to these guardians of our community! And bravo to those who were also promoted at the ceremony. We are so grateful for all of you.
| | Updates from the District 3 Boards | | | | |
