🌱 Rowen Construction Underway + Gwinnett County Homes Damaged In Fire

Hello, friends! It's Monday in Dacula and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer; breezy in the p.m.. High: 58 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories in and around Dacula today:

1. The first road is being built for Rowen, a life sciences facility in east Gwinnett. The project is set to be constructed over 2,000 acres of land between Dacula and the Apalachee River, north of Ga. 316 and south of Route 8. Rowen is projected to create about 90,000 jobs this century and contribute billions to the economy of Georgia. In December, the county commission approved a new zoning district for the Rowen land that requires developers to comply with the Rowen Foundation’s design guidelines, which include environmental practices such as preserving native plants and green space. The Georgia Department of Economic Development is still seeking the first company or companies to become Rowen’s founding partners. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. Parents of a high school football player are suing Gwinnett Mall following their son's fatal shooting. Their son, Elijah DeWitt, was a star football player at Jefferson High School in Jackson County. Police said he was shot and killed outside the Dave & Buster’s at Sugarloaf Mills on Oct. 5 while out with friends. In a civil lawsuit, the family is claiming that Sugarloaf Mills, Allied Universal, and Dave & Buster’s failed "to provide adequate security even though they knew the property was — and continued to be — dangerous." (WSBTV)
3. Several homes in Gwinnett County were damaged by a grass fire on Sunday night. Seven homes were damaged in the neighborhood off of Springbottom Drive after a grass fire quickly spread to nearby houses, scorching backyards and melting the siding of houses. No one was hurt, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation. (Fox 5)

Today in Dacula:

• Homeschool Library At Dacula Branch Library (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• In honor of Women's History Month, Kanopy has curated a collection of films for screening at Gwinnett County Public Library. The films will address topical subjects across history and current events. To learn more about the titles, check out the link. (Gwinnett County Public Library via Instagram)
• There's still time left to read "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah for Gwinnett County Public Library's virtual discussion! The book discussion is slated for Tuesday, Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. ATL Reads Book Club is a "no commitment" book club, but registration is required. For more information, visit the link. (Gwinnett County Public Library via Instagram)
• On the hunt for a new home? Check out the latest properties for sale in the Dacula area, including a four-bed, three-bath home for $455,000. (Dacula Patch)

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Featured events:

• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
• Christopher Smith & Daijun Edwards Public Autograph Signing (March 18)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! See you all soon for another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.