Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw is sponsoring a holiday toy and food giveaway and COVID-19 vaccination event on Saturday, Dec. 18.  “In the midst of this holiday season, I am reminded that so many have gone without and for many the holidays can be extremely challenging on a number of fronts,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “I am pleased to partner with Clarkston First Baptist Church, 100 Black Women of DeKalb, Sigma Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and Pershing Angels of Alabama A&M to host an event that will meet the needs of many.”…

The DeKalb County Human Services Department is partnering with the DeKalb County Board of Health to host COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics in DeKalb through the end of flu season to reach minority seniors and other members of the community. Vaccines are administered by trained medical professionals. COVID-19 vaccinations are free and flu vaccinations are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. Those who have insurance are asked to bring their insurance information and photo ID. An administration fee may be applied for Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. Participants will not receive a bill from the DeKalb…

DECATUR, GA—The Department of Watershed Management will temporarily suspend the DeKalb County Water Valve and Fire Hydrant Inspection and Exercising Project. During the upcoming holiday season, in anticipation of increased holiday travel, assessment crews will work, Dec. 20-21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Normal work hours will resume on Jan. 3, 2022.

DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, in partnership with Soldiers’ Angels and Atlanta Food Bank, is hosting an event to provide food assistance to 200 at-risk and homeless veterans and their families. The distribution will take place Friday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Atlanta VA Arcadia Clinic, 250 North Arcadia Avenue, Decatur, and will be the last of three events scheduled for 2021 to benefit veterans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the meals was made available by Cochran-Johnson through a donation to the Atlanta Food Bank from her District 7 discretionary funds and is…

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…