The Gwinnett Chamber convened more than 200 business and community leaders Thursday for its On Topic: State of Rowen luncheon presented by Porter Steel. Public- and private-sector officials provided an update on the momentum surrounding UCB’s recently announced $2 billion investment in Gwinnett County and discussed what the project signals for the future of advanced manufacturing and life sciences growth in Georgia.

The panel discussion was introduced by Gwinnett Chamber President and CEO Nick Masino, featuring UCB U.S. Head of Engineering Nicolas Debruyne, Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Rowen Foundation President & CEO Mason Ailstock, and moderator and Senior Vice President of Partnership Gwinnett Kevin Carmichael. The speakers collectively emphasized the level of coordination and partnership required to secure a project of this scale and position the region for future investment opportunities.

“From the beginning, what stood out to us was the welcoming and inclusive sense of community as well as the level of partnership and responsiveness across every organization involved,” said Debruyne. “The alignment between all partners created confidence that this region could support not only our immediate needs, but our long-term vision for innovation and growth.”

Throughout the conversation, panelists explored how regional alignment and public-private partnerships are positioning Gwinnett County and Georgia for continued growth. Discussion focused on workforce development, supplier and corporate engagement opportunities, speed to market, long-term economic competitiveness, and the future of Rowen as a globally recognized innovation district following UCB’s transformational investment.

Building on that theme, Chairwoman Hendrickson noted that the UCB project reflects years of long-range planning, infrastructure readiness, and relationship-building. “This investment reinforces what we already know — Gwinnett County is uniquely positioned for the future because of the partnerships we have built across sectors,” Hendrickson said. “When public and private leaders come together with a common purpose, we create opportunities that strengthen our economy, elevate our workforce, and improve quality of life for our community.”

The conversation also included a look at the broader vision for Rowen, a 2,000-acre preserved land and master-planned development in Gwinnett that serves as Georgia’s largest knowledge community.

“Rowen was designed to bring together research, education, and industry in a way that accelerates innovation and economic opportunity,” said Ailstock. “Seeing a global company like UCB choose Rowen for its first major investment sends a powerful message about where this region is headed and what is possible through intentional collaboration.”

Carmichael added, “One of the greatest differentiators for Georgia is the willingness of organizations across the state to work together toward shared outcomes. Projects of this magnitude require trust, coordination, and alignment, and this announcement reflects the strength of that ecosystem.”

The program also recognized the many partners involved in the UCB project, including Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start administered locally by Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia Power, Gwinnett County Government, City of Buford Natural Gas, the Rowen Foundation, and Partnership Gwinnett.

The Gwinnett Chamber will host its next On Topic luncheon featuring a mid-year economic update with Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. To learn more and reserve a seat, visit GwinnettChamber.org/On-Topic.