ARC executive director to present State of the Region at Gwinnett Chamber
Anna Roach, executive director and CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, will be the featured speaker at Wednesday’s On Topic: State of the Region luncheon at the Gwinnett Chamber.
Chamber leaders said attendees will gain firsthand insight into the transportation, workforce, infrastructure, and community development strategies shaping the future of the 11-county ARC region — including Gwinnett County’s vital role in that growth.
As metro Atlanta’s population approaches 5.3 million residents across the 11-county region and continues to rank among the fastest-growing large metros in the nation, regional collaboration has never been more critical, Chamber officials said.
Roach leads ARC’S $104 million operating budget and oversees regional transportation planning, aging services, workforce development, water resources management, community development, and homeland security coordination. She serves on numerous regional and national boards and is recognized for advancing collaborative, data-informed strategies that strengthen metro Atlanta’s economic competitiveness and quality of life.
Beautifying the Gwinnett Place area: The Gwinnett Place CID plays a key role in maintaining the look and safety of 28 miles of roadways in Gwinnett’s central business district — including the I-85 interchanges at Pleasant Hill Road and Steve Reynolds Boulevard, CID officials said.
In 2025 alone, Cid-funded landscape crews removed 38.86 tons of trash and 1,284 illegal signs from area streets. Since 2007, these efforts have resulted in the removal of more than 561 tons of trash and 26,492 illegal signs, keeping our district welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses alike, CID leaders said.
The CID’S work goes beyond cleanup. Last year, the CID had repaired 41 damaged street signs and restored 171 street and parking lot lights, enhancing safety throughout the district.
And thanks to the dedication of team members like Glenn Wisdom, the CID’S Director of Operations, 467 abandoned shopping carts were returned to their retail locations, saving local businesses an estimated $116,750.
Care for Cops 5K coming to Suwanee: Local runners have the chance to support a local nonprofit at a race in Suwanee on Feb. 28.
Care for Cops is a nonprofit organization that has provided financial assistance to more than 98 families of fallen Georgia officers since 1999.
Care for Cops sends checks directly to families that have lost a loved one in the line of duty. They help provide immediate resources in time of great need, bridge the financial gap when a loved one is lost, and acknowledge the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers in Georgia.
This year’s race takes place at Suwanee’s Town Center on Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. For more information about Care for Cops and to sign up for the race, go to: /www.care4cops. org/events/
Around Town is a periodic report on bits and pieces, odds and ends, and opinions, anecdotes and inquiries in, around and about Gwinnett County. The column is compiled by GDP newsroom staff, but if you have an idea for an Around Town item, send to news@ gwinnettdailypost.com. This edition was compiled by Todd Cline.