With more than 2,300 businesses, including some of metro Atlanta’s top firms and the regional headquarters of national and international companies, the Peachtree Corners/Norcross area is in the top 10 economic engines in metro Atlanta.
So says the chairman of theSouthwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce (SWGC), one of two local organizations devoted to keep that engine roaring. SWGC works to build a healthy economy and improve quality of life in the tri-cities area of Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake and Norcross.
“The chamber was founded on the ABC’s,” SWGC Chairman Weare Gratwick said. “Advocate, Build and Connect.”
The other organization, the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA), was launched with five key initiatives, including giving businesses a unified voice and making it easier for the business community to interact with the city, said Lisa Proctor, the group’s president and executive founding member. Most of Peachtree Corners’ businesses are small, with 50 employees or less, Proctor said.
“We realize they don’t have all the resources the Fortune 500 companies have, so we are building networking and member opportunities that will bring those resources in,” she said. “We are trying to build real relationships, rather than just that drive-by networking event.”
Both of these organizations began in 2012, the same year Peachtree Corners was incorporated. The city born of technology says its robust business community is one of the reasons it can offer a full-service government that charges no property taxes — residential or commercial.
PCBA and SWGC are working to keep it that way.
Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
SWGC Chairman Weare Gratwick is regional president-Atlanta of Colony Bank and Mayor Pro Tem on the Peachtree Corners City Council. He’s been a city resident for 24 years.
Except for its paid director of sales and member services, Beth Coffey, the chamber is a volunteer organization with currently about 170 member companies.
Its 23-member Board of Directors meets quarterly. A dozen of those members serve on an executive committee that meets monthly with Gratwick and Coffey.
The chairman is especially proud of the group’s continuity of leadership. Every one of its past chairs, who serve one-year terms, has remained involved on a past chairs board.
SWGC promotes area businesses, represents them at government meetings and brings them together in a variety of ways.
Weekly Connect Over Coffee meetings are informal networking sessions where businesses can learn about each other.
“First Friday Breakfast” meetings usually draw about 50 to 100 people and feature speakers that have included Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks; Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash; and Jason West, program manager of the Gwinnett County Environmental Heritage Center, who spoke to the chamber as Button Gwinnett in celebration of the county’s bicentennial.
July’s First Friday will be a Mayors’ Panel, featuring the mayors of all three cities in the SWGC region.
Twice a year the chamber provides a leadership program “for business owners and lower- or mid-level rising stars” in small to mid-sized companies, Gratwick said. “We want to fill those gaps where companies may not provide those services directly,” he said.
SWGC provides an avenue for volunteering, supports community programs and has aided a variety of school programs such as, along with PCBA, the Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners’ Career Exploration Night for high school seniors.
Through its Project Curb Appeal, the chamber has taken on two medians on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard — from Holcomb Bridge Road to Paul Duke STEM High School — for more maintenance and beautification than the county can provide.
“We would like to expand that program north on Peachtree Industrial through Berkeley Lake,” Gratwick said. “We’re filling needs in business and the community and helping support our local schools.”
Peachtree Corners Business Association
PCBA President Lisa Proctor is the president and CEO of executive search and consulting services firm Sanford Rose Associates — Lake Lanier Islands. She’s lived in Peachtree Corners for more than 25 years.
PCBA is all-volunteer, with about 200 member companies and 575 company representative members across metro Atlanta. In addition to connecting its members, the group recommends member businesses to others and seeks to promote integrity — all through networking meetings, social events, member education and a speaker series.
One recent speaker was Steven Carse who co-founded the King of Pops frozen treats business with his brother Nick in 2010 after he was laid off from his corporate job during the Great Recession.
PCBA also supports community activities and charitable organizations. “We’re not a civic organization, but this is a great way for a lot of us to be involved with our community,” Proctor said. “At least once a month we hand out a check to one of our local scholarship recipients or local 501C3s that need support.”
PCBA keeps metrics on membership trends, including why businesses close or move out of the city. “We’re not going to solve every problem in the world, but … we want the group to be accessible and for companies to feel comfortable, so we understand the resources they need,” Proctor said.
One of those problems led to a new program called the PCBA Lunch Club, which was launched in May. Proctor knows of one restaurant whose owner said sales dropped by more than $3,000 a week after the city’s new Town Center opened in April, with Farm Burger, Marlow’s Tavern and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill among its current and “opening soon” tenants.
Through the Lunch Club, PCBA member restaurants are filling empty seats by offering discounts to fellow PCBA members and their guests, Proctor said.
“We have to be Switzerland,” Proctor said. “We cannot play favorites with any of the businesses.
“Everyone’s so excited about the new Town Center, and that’s good,” she said. “We’re making sure that we are listening to the established restaurants and (working on) what we can do to encourage people not to forget them.” ■
Tim Perry, managing director and chief investment officer of Jamestown named Redevelopment Champion of the Year
The Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit (MARS), presented by Gwinnett’s Community Improvement Districts and co-hosted by Partnership Gwinnett and the Council for Quality Growth, offered an exclusive look at major redevelopment projects shaping the future of the region.
This year’s event not only highlighted emerging trends in the redevelopment industry but also provided valuable networking opportunities for professionals across metro Atlanta. Attendees gained insight into best practices through discussions on successful revitalization projects.
The summit’s marquee moment was the presentation of the annual MARS Awards, recognizing remarkable achievements in redevelopment that are transforming the metro Atlanta landscape.
The keynote address was delivered by Joe Minicozzi, a renowned urban planner and founder of Urban3, who shared his expertise on land use, urban design and economics. In addition to the keynote, the event featured dynamic panel discussions with local leaders and key partners from across the metropolitan area, spotlighting successful projects and innovative strategies in the region.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson concluded the summit with closing remarks, emphasizing the continued growth of the region and the collective efforts driving its future.
2024 MARS Awards winners
The MARS Awards ceremony celebrated projects that have made significant economic impacts on their communities and honored Tim Perry, an individual who has dedicated his career to advancing successful redevelopment initiatives.
Redevelopment Champion of the Year: Tim Perry, managing director and chief investment officer of Jamestown
The historic Jones Building, one of the oldest structures in Cherokee County, has been revitalized to meet modern needs while preserving its storied past. This ambitious 28-month restoration culminated in August 2024, breathing new life into this cornerstone of downtown Canton and creating a dynamic space for work, dining, and play.
The Grove at Towne Center is a transformative development in the heart of Snellville. With 33,000 square feet of restaurant space, 10,000 square feet of retail and the new Elizabeth H. Williams Branch of the Gwinnett Public Library, The Grove offers an ideal blend of dining, shopping and cultural experiences.
The Works is an innovative, 80-acre adaptive reuse community that reimagines a historic warehouse district in Atlanta’s Upper Westside. The first phase, spanning 27 acres, introduced a dynamic mix of 218,000 square feet of unique retail and dining spaces, 118,000 square feet of creative office space and Westbound at The Works — a modern 306-unit multi-family residence.
“Community redevelopment is essential in creating vibrant, thriving spaces that enhance the quality of life and drive sustainable economic growth for the entire region,” said Deven Cason, vice president of economic development for Partnership Gwinnett.
“We proudly congratulate this year’s award winners and finalists for their innovative contributions and tireless efforts in revitalizing our communities. Their work is not only reshaping local landscapes but also fueling long-term economic prosperity in metro Atlanta. We are grateful for their dedication to building a brighter, more prosperous future.”
2024 sponsors
The program was held at the former Georgia Baptist Convention Center, Maison6405, and welcomed more than 200 industry attendees.
Sponsors included Evermore CID, Gateway 85 CID, Gwinnett Place CID, Lilburn CID, Sugarloaf CID, C2H Air, Hogan Construction, Northside, Primerica, The Forum, Gas South, Jackson EMC, Select Fulton, True North 400, ABEV Power Solutions, City of Suwanee, Curiosity Labs, Geo Hydro Engineers, Georgia Power, Lose Designs, City of Lawrenceville, City of Norcross, City of Peachtree Corners, City of Sugar Hill and Town of Braselton.
For more information on revitalization and redevelopment efforts in the region, visit partnershipgwinnett.com.
The strategic acquisition strengthens TransPak’s Southeast presence and expands their capabilities in custom packaging for military, aerospace and high-value equipment.
TransPak, a global leader in logistics, packaging and crating services, recently announced the acquisition of Reid Packaging, a long-standing provider of custom packaging solutions based in Peachtree Corners. Both family-owned and operated companies share a deep-rooted commitment to quality craftsmanship, reliability and customer service, making the acquisition a natural fit.
Reid Packaging, founded in 1982, has distinguished itself as the go-to customer industrial packager in the metro Atlanta region, providing corrugated, foam and custom-engineered crating solutions, particularly in the military and aerospace industries.
Under the ownership of Ward Phillips since 2008, the company has grown to become one of the largest packaging facilities in the region, with a 60,000-square-foot site.
The acquisition will allow TransPak to expand its local manufacturing capabilities in the Southeast, while leveraging Reid Packaging’s expertise in specialized and heavy-duty custom crates.
Strategic Atlanta location and enhanced capabilities
The acquisition is part of TransPak’s strategic expansion into the Atlanta market, a critical logistics hub for both the renewable energy and semiconductor industries.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Reid Packaging into the TransPak family,” said Tomas Molet, executive vice president of East and Midwest Operations, TransPak. “With Reid Packaging’s prime location in Peachtree Corners, we are now able to serve customers throughout the Southeast, including direct routes to the Carolinas and beyond. This acquisition strengthens our ability to meet the needs of existing clients, especially those in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors.”
In addition to the strategic location, the acquisition brings new manufacturing capabilities to TransPak’s East Coast operations. Reid Packaging’s facility is now the largest of TransPak’s locations in the region. Its offerings include enhanced services, such as heavy-duty and triple-wall corrugated packaging, which will enable TransPak to meet the growing demand for custom-designed packaging solutions for fragile, high-value equipment.
Commitment to employees and leadership appointments
A key focus of the acquisition was ensuring a smooth transition for Reid Packaging’s employees.
“We made a commitment to Ward Phillips to take care of the staff, and we’ve delivered on that promise,” said Molet. “All employees were retained, and we’ve introduced benefits they previously didn’t have as part of our commitment to making this a positive transition for everyone involved.”
Amanda Gautney, a longtime member of TransPak’s leadership team, has been appointed as the operations manager for the Peachtree Corners facility. “I’m excited to work with the team at Reid and continue the legacy of this respected company,” said Gautney.
Looking forward in Atlanta
TransPak plans to continue operating under the Reid Packaging name for the immediate future. However, the facility will gradually transition to full integration under the TransPak brand, reflecting the shared values and commitment to quality of both companies.
About TransPak
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, TransPak has been providing innovative and cost-effective design, crating, packaging and global logistics for over 70 years.
As a customer-focused, women- and family-owned company, TransPak combines the agility of a small business with the reliability of a global powerhouse. TransPak lives by the slogan, “We make it happen,” ensuring that high-value, fragile, and oversized goods reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
For more information about TransPak, visit transpak.com.
Explore Gwinnett, the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County, has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders from executive director to chief operating officer (COO). Since joining the organization in 1996, Anders has demonstrated outstanding leadership and has established a track record of developing partnerships essential to leading and expanding the evolving destination marketing organization. The creation and oversight of both the Gwinnett Film Commission and Gwinnett Creativity Fund are just two of her achievements.
“I am honored to step into the role of chief operating officer at Explore Gwinnett,” said Anders. “Over the past 13 years as executive director, I have had the privilege of witnessing remarkable growth for our destination. I am eager to enter this new chapter, and I’m looking forward to continuing to see how we expand.”
As COO, Anders will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing the Gwinnett Sports Commission. This division is dedicated to driving economic development through sports, managing a variety of events for youth, collegiate, amateur and professional athletic organizations. Ander’s innovative approach and extensive network of local and national connections will further support the commission’s overall mission to establish Gwinnett County as a premier sports destination.
“The Gwinnett Sports Commission team has excelled in attracting and managing a diverse array of sporting events over the past several years,” Anders added. “I look forward to working closely with this talented team to support their ongoing efforts and foster economic development for our community.”