Gwinnett County honored nationally for innovative community engagement

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County government has been nationally recognized for several innovative public service initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to forward-thinking governance and strong community engagement. 

The County earned multiple 2025 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo)—spanning  a wide range of departments and service areas, from emergency preparedness to volunteer engagement. 

Among Gwinnett’s winning entries:

Gwinnett Community Block Party– Organized by the Department of Planning and Development, this first-of-its-kind event brought residents together to learn about County services, participate in hands-on art projects and share input on community priorities, all in a festive, family-friendly environment.

Volunteer Events for Watershed Protection– Since Nov. 2022, Gwinnett Water Resources has hosted 13 volunteer events, engaging 143 volunteers who’ve contributed 367 hours toward restoring streambanks, enhancing wetlands and building green infrastructure. These efforts not only protect water quality and ecosystems but also reduce long-term maintenance costs while strengthening civic engagement.

Short-Term Rental Task Force – In response to the rising impact of short-term rentals, Gwinnett created a time-limited task force that spent nine months studying the issue, analyzing data and gathering public feedback. The resulting policy recommendations, adopted in Jan. 2025, reflect a balanced approach that supports both economic growth and neighborhood stability.

“Each of these awards reflects the hard work of our dedicated staff and their commitment to serving this community in ways that are smart, responsive and forward-thinking,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “Gwinnett County remains focused on innovation, inclusion and impact, and we’re honored that our work is being recognized at the national level.”

NACo’s Achievement Awards, now in the 55th year, honor counties that are leading the way in areas such as civic engagement, public health, technology, parks and recreation and more. Award entries are judged on innovation, effectiveness and the ability to be replicated by other counties.

A complete list of Gwinnett County’s award-winning programs can be found on the NACo website.