Gwinnett Daily Post

NORCROSS -- Before the City Council gets down to business, businessmen and women are banding together in Peachtree Corners.

Last month, a group of 27 leaders met to discuss the creation of the Peachtree Corners Business Association.

"Business leaders need to have a way to connect and support one another," said James Welch, president of Bottom Line Business Consulting and a resident of the community, which voted earlier this month to adopt a city charter. "This can only make the community stronger."

Mike Mason, the president of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, said the business league has long been a dream of the UPCCA.

"This is long overdue, but just in time to provide business input into the opportunities and challenges facing Peachtree Corners," he said.

A nominating committee has been selected to find the organization's first officers among the businesses who have signed on. Officials hope the group becomes popular with the nearly 5,000 business in the northwest corner of Gwinnett.

"There are several local business associations that very generously shared their successful models as well as some sage advice about the key roles, time commitments and expectations of the leadership," said Mark Lackey with Atlanta Housing Resource, who outlined the structure of other nearby groups.