is an exciting opportunity for the city ,” Nix conveys. “There would be multiple warehouse spaces that companies could rent out and utilize. While the project is not managed by the city of Dacula, we’ve been helping facilitate their plan reviews and helping to get the project off the ground. Hopefully, that will start this year.” The city also benefits from proximity to the Rowen development, a knowledge community with potential to bring a range of new job opportunities. “That’s a joint venture between Gwinnett County and the Rowen Foundation,” Mayor King explains. “Historically, the city of Dacula has been in what we call the Innovation Crescent, which is an area between Atlanta and Athens that was undeveloped at one time. Now we are seeing the beginnings of that Innovation Crescent come to life through the Rowen Project, targeting the agricultural, medical and environmental industries. This will be a big benefit to this community, as far as jobs, and other places to get an education. We’re just at the very beginning of that at this point.” PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Looking ahead, Dacula’s vision includes completing the City Core Project, revitalizing the historic downtown, and ensuring smart, sustainable growth to provide continued opportunities and enhance quality of life for both current and future residents. With this in mind, Mayor King shares that leadership is about more than just infrastructure and economic development. “You always have to give your best, do your best, and leave the next generation, or the people that follow behind, in a better place,” he expands. “The most rewarding part is being able to help people, being able to uplift the community. We want to create something that the people that live here can be proud of.” 110 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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