Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA–Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp today announced that Rivian Inc., based in Irvine, CA, will build a $5 billion manufacturing plant in East Atlanta and hire 7,500 workers. Once manufacturing operations are fully ramped up, the Georgia facility will be capable of producing up to 400,000 electric trucks and commercial delivery vans per year. Officials say Rivian’s investment represents the single-largest economic development project in state history. “We are so proud that Georgia will now be home to Rivian’s largest manufacturing facility,” said Kemp. “This single investment – the largest in state history – represents the future of automotive manufacturing…

Gwinnett County is providing assistance to guide county residents in need through the sometimes-complicated process of finding and acquiring resources, services and assistance from nonprofits and other charitable organizations. Called community navigators, the helpers are part of a program called OneStop 4 HELP and can be contacted by phone at 770.822.8850, by email at OneStopHelp@GwinnettCounty.com and soon in-person at any of Gwinnett County’s OneStop facilities in Norcross, Buford and Centerville. “People who need help are often at wit’s end, exhausted or intimidated by the processes necessary to get the help they need,” said Regina Miller, Community Services Deputy Department Director. “Having…

LAWRENCEVILLE, ,GA—Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 15 for the new Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center. In partnership with Georgia Gwinnett College(GGC) in Lawrenceville, the Gwinnett County-sponsored center supports entrepreneurs and nurtures small business startups. “The entrepreneur center will serve as a safe space to exchange ideas, collaborate, receive mentoring and build a foundation to become the best business leaders possible,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “This is an equitable opportunity for small business owners to thrive in a low-cost, central location.” Through a rigorous application process, leaders looked for hopefuls who show promise for starting or growing…

The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (FDHA) is offering internships to provide hands-on experience in research and program planning to currently enrolled college students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens who attend school in Fulton or DeKalb counties. The Michael R. Hollis Internship Program and The Frank H. Monteith Fellowship Program will provide opportunities to gain experience across the following areas: accounting, marketing, business, community health prevention, community engagement outreach, public health, medicine, and social work.   Application Deadline is January 5, 2022

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers City Council approved a plan providing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the first 250 residents and 50 businesses that apply and meet certain qualifications. The city will receive more than $6 million in total ARPA funds. The first half of the allocation was received by the city in May 2021 and the second half is expected in May 2022. The city has allocated $250,000 in assistance to go to residents and another $250,000 to local businesses. Individuals who qualify will receive $1,000 each and businesses that qualify will receive $5,000,…

ATLANTA– Breanna Thomas has been appointed as Georgia’s new Deputy Commissioner of State Programs, Human Resources for the  Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS Commissioner Candice L. Broce announced a change to the Department’s Executive Leadership team on Dec. 14. Thomas, who has served as the Department’s Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Operations since October, succeeds Tanguler Gray, who has been appointed to serve in a new position as Commissioner for the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. “I would like to thank Tanguler Gray for her more than 25 years of outstanding service at DHS,” said Commissioner Broce. “Tan’s leadership, passion…

  DECATUR, GA– After an early morning fire claimed the lives of five people on Dec. 14, DeKalb County Fire Rescue officials are reminding residents of fire safety tips. Ten people were inside the home at 1932 Janet Lane, located off of Glenwood Road in Decatur, when a fire broke out around 12:20 a.m. Five people perished, including two little girls, their mother and two of the children’s great uncles who were trapped inside the home, authorities said. Three others were injured and two escaped without injuries, authorities said. The victims who died were identified by family members as 3-year-old Angel and 6-year-old…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is formally exploring the expansion of the Office of School Safety with the creation of a Public Safety Division. After years of researching the merits of establishing a Public Safety Division and School Safety Officers within RCPS, Superintendent Terry Oatts, in consultation with the RCPS Office of School Safety and the Rockdale County Board of Education, announced the district is moving forward in reviewing such an arrangement. “The time has come to seriously explore establishing our own RCPS Public Safety Division,” said Superintendent Oatts. “We value our longstanding partnership with our local…

On Saturday, Dec. 18, DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to celebrate the 2021 holiday season by distributing 4,000 boxes of food. Along with a 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters, residents will receive one 20-pound box of food that will include oranges, red apples, collards, shelled pecans, celery, snap beans, squash, zucchini, cabbage, sweet potatoes, yellow onions, pears, candy canes and a dozen eggs. “We recognize that many families are still struggling to keep food on their table due to rising food costs,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb County Government is grateful to…

  Beginning Thursday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m., the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will upgrade its Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System (DRIVES). During the upgrade, the processing of vehicle registrations and titling services, including e-Services and tag renewal kiosks, will be unavailable through Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. All vehicle owners with expiration dates in late December and early January are encouraged to renew before Dec. 30 to avoid delays. What to expect: Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 through Jan. 3, 2022: The tax office and the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division will be unable to process transactions.…