GWINNETT COUNTY

Gwinnett County is a vibrant and rapidly growing community that offers the best of both worlds: the excitement of big-city living and the comforts of suburban life. Known for its award-winning parks, strong education system, reliable infrastructure and cultural diversity, Gwinnett County is committed to its vision of being the preferred community where everyone thrives.

Strategically located in the northeast corner of metro Atlanta—and home to 35,000 businesses of all sizes, including 650 foreign-owned companies—Gwinnett’s vibrant, cosmopolitan community caters to the unique blend of people and places found across its 437 square miles. Businesses can take advantage of a competitive tax structure, upgraded transportation system and access to talented, multilingual individuals across a variety of industries.

With a long history of fiscal stewardship and strategic planning, Gwinnett continues to grow and thrive. At the start of 2023, the Board of Commissioners approved a $2.27 billion budget that prioritizes infrastructure, safety and the County’s financial health. Gwinnett’s leaders look through a lens of equity to build an inclusive and welcoming environment that reflects the needs of residents and businesses. It’s no surprise that business booms in Gwinnett.

After opening its doors in 2022, The Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center enrolled 25 members to grow and improve their small businesses.

Located at 405 North Perry Street in Lawrenceville, the center is an entrepreneur and small business support facility operated by Gwinnett County Government in close collaboration with Georgia Gwinnett College. Last year alone, the facility held 66 events and programs with more than 3,000 attendees, hosted 356 one-on-one coaching sessions and had 47 small business workshops and peer-to-peer group sessions for both members and non-members.

Impressively, the center’s inaugural group of 25 members has already created 47 jobs. Yet, the most unique feature of the center is its membership model, which is designed to keep a revolving stream of small business owners enrolled.

At the end of a member’s customized graduation plan, they receive a certificate marking the end of their membership, and an incoming member will replace them.

The center provides its members with customized mentorship, working space, connections to capital sources and other tools to help their businesses succeed. It also provides classes and networking opportunities for non-members trying to launch their business ideas.

To become a member, interested entrepreneurs will need to complete an online application and be selected for an interview. To learn more, visit GwinnettEntrepreneurCenter.com

In 2022, Jennifer Hong had one main goal: to learn how to grow and scale her medical billing and credentialing business, Eli Medical. She was one of 25 small business owners who became inaugural members of the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center, a business incubator.

After receiving coaching, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and office space from the center, Jennifer has graduated with two successful business ventures under her belt. One of them is her first pharmacy, which is set to open in Gwinnett in 2023.

Gwinnett has also focused a keen eye on strengthening business opportunities for women and people of color. Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson’s goal is to root out the systematic barriers that have created economic inequalities for minority business owners over the years.

Gwinnett is committed to setting the example for equity by tackling this issue with transparency and urgency and launching a countywide business disparity study. This forthcoming study will help the County assess the inequities that exist in its procurement and contracting processes and the ways it can break through them.