Gwinnett will turn 200 years old later this year. Since we are celebrating Gwinnett County’s bicentennial this year, I have spent time reflecting on the opportunities and decisions that created the Gwinnett of today.
Visionary Gwinnett leaders in the past recognized that the Atlanta area was going to grow. Their decisions to build modern infrastructure and excellent schools set in motion the transformation of Gwinnett from rural landscape to the unique, special and thriving place it is today.
At almost one million people strong, our population is bigger than that of six states. We’re likely the most diverse county in the Southeast as the opportunities available in Gwinnett have brought individuals, families and businesses from across the U.S. and around the globe.
As part of Atlanta’s roughly six million residents, we also understand that we’re part of a much larger community. Our opportunities, challenges, and successes are inextricably linked.
In order for Gwinnett to continue to be great – and for our greater metro community of Atlanta to maintain its greatness – we have to embrace new approaches and innovations rather than being limited by what has worked in the past.
Specifically, our very success threatens the livability and prosperity we enjoy. Congestion has become unbearable as more and more people and goods must move across the region. We are at a time where our county and our region must seek different approaches to mobility to preserve both quality of life and economic vitality.
For the past year I have been part of a legislative study committee looking at ways to relieve the burden of our growth through alternative mobility solutions. Specifically, we’ve looked at the many ways and agencies involved with delivering transit alternatives. We’ve looked at how transit has been funded. We’ve looked at how we’re going to grow, and how our next generation of employees will get to work.
We know that young adults are less wedded to their autos and generally have less tolerance for long solo commutes. Many employers are seeking locations that provide transit options to be able to attract and keep that young talent. Expanded transit is critical to the region’s ability to maintain a competitive edge, especially when recruiting high-tech, high-wage jobs. Transit options are also part of the arsenal we must use to help people get where they need to be, on time and still sane.
Our legislators are now considering a bill that will provide more flexibility to counties that wish to connect with our neighbors via transit. The Atlanta Transit Link (The ATL) is an opportunity for us. It continues to allow counties to choose their transit destiny and make local funding decisions. It also sets up a new dedicated funding stream from the state, as well as an independent board selected by local elected officials and legislators to coordinate planning and federal funding to solve our congestion issues at a regional level.
Gwinnett has responded to challenges boldly in the past—-today’s challenges deserve nothing less. As we enter Gwinnett’s third century, I am convinced that significantly expanding transit is Gwinnett’s next big decision, on the order of past ones to build a countywide water system and develop a world-class school system.
I am also convinced that we are ready to make this big decision and help create Gwinnett’s future.
I urge our Legislators to focus on what the region and state needs as they consider this year’s transit bills and pass legislation that will help the Atlanta region and Gwinnett fulfill our promise of a bright future.
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