Experts believe Gwinnett County is strategically positioned for significant growth in the life sciences industry, bolstered by its diverse workforce and proactive investments in innovation.

Mason Ailstock, president and CEO of the Rowen Foundation, emphasized that the Rowen project will benefit not just Gwinnett but the entire state over the next three decades.

The Rowen project is projected to generate between $8 billion and $10 billion in annual labor income once fully operational, according to the Rowen Foundation.

The Rowen Region, a planned 2,000-acre mixed-use community in Gwinnett, aims to become a central hub for innovation in environment, agriculture, and medicine, with projections of generating approximately 18,500 jobs by 2035 and potentially 100,000 jobs in the long term.

Currently, thirteen companies have shown interest in establishing a presence at Rowen, although none have made official announcements yet.

The life sciences sector in Georgia employs nearly 215,000 workers and contributes an impressive $50.2 billion to the state's economy.

Key contributors to the talent pipeline for the life sciences sector include the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, with Georgia Tech's biomedical engineering program graduating 278 students and awarding 31 Ph.D.s in the 2021-2022 academic year.

In Gwinnett County alone, there are approximately 342 small- to medium-sized life science companies, employing around 4,200 individuals as of 2023.

In recognition of its efforts, Gwinnett County received Gold-Tier BioReady Community status in 2024, reflecting its high standards for supporting life science facilities.

Georgia ranks among the top 15 states in the U.S. for the concentration of life sciences graduates, with multiple universities actively collaborating with industry companies.

Gwinnett Technical College plays a crucial role in workforce development for the life sciences sector by offering a bioscience technology pathway.

The life science industry in Gwinnett not only requires advanced degrees but also a diverse workforce that includes researchers, technicians, and manufacturing employees.