Lawrenceville, Sept 22, 2021 – After a series of five meetings spread over five months, the Rowen Foundation released the final report of its Gwinnett Community Advisory Task Force (G-CAT).
The report includes 20 immediate, short and long-term action items that the Foundation will advance to ensure Rowen – a visionary knowledge community that will bring together entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators – delivers on its mission, vision and core principles in partnership with the Gwinnett community.
Announced in February 2021, G-CAT included a diverse group of 18 Gwinnett-based leaders with influence in business, education, health, faith and community service who provided the Foundation with a broad range of community input. The members convened monthly from March to July to discuss topics related to Rowen Foundation's core principles – collaboration, accessibility and affordability, authenticity, inspiration – and offer their ideas to shape the Foundation’s thinking moving forward.
“The Rowen Foundation is thrilled to have received the direct feedback and support of our community’s leaders,” said Mason Ailstock, Founda/on president. “The G-CAT members were able to share their deep wealth of knowledge about the Gwinnett community and provide vital perspective to Rowen’s future goals. We look forward to implementing their suggestions and continuing to work with our members during our next phase in establishing Rowen.”
In addition to the direct-action items included in the report, G-CAT members reinforced the need for the Rowen Foundation to consistently continue a participatory process throughout the lifetime of Rowen’s development, particularly engaging younger audiences such as K-12 students, college students and young professionals.
“The Rowen project was sparked by a desire to create a brighter future for all Georgians, and we look forward to working with the Foundation on next steps,” said G-CAT member Rep. Sam Park, State Representative, Georgia House District 101. “Rowen’s ultimate beneficiary will be our next generation of citizens, so as the project develops over their lifetime, we must keep our focus on engaging and empowering the future leaders of agriculture, medicine and the environment.”
The Foundation will continue to build partnerships in 2022, expanding and diversifying ways for others in the county and state to engage with Rowen. The project has made significant progress since its announcement in August 2020 and anticipates site work beginning in 2022.
“Every G-CAT member is committed to working with the Foundation to help implement future phases of Rowen. This speaks to the incredible collaboration and impactful conversations we were able to accomplish,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “I look forward to watching the project continue to grow and positively impact the citizens of Gwinnett County.”
To download the full Gwinnett Community Advisory Task Force report, visit rowenlife.com/announcement/gcatreport
