The energy won’t be measured in kilowatts, but enthusiasm when Kelley Balkcom, the metro north region executive at Georgia Power Company, delivers the keynote address during Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) Spring 2026 commencement ceremony. It will be held on May 15, with ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center on campus.
Balkcom manages external affairs for the Gwinnett, DeKalb, North Fulton and Forsyth areas. Prior to her current role, Balkcom led the company’s Regulatory Affairs team, where she developed and implemented regulatory strategies and built relationships with key external stakeholders influencing Georgia’s energy policy decisions.
Her career began at Georgia Power Company in 2003. In addition to her various marketing and sales, Balkcom worked in Customer Service Operations Financial Support as a financial comptroller supporting statewide operations.
Born and raised in Gwinnett, Balkcom graduated from Parkview High School in 1999 and earned a B.B.A. in finance from the University of Georgia in 2003. She received her M.B.A. from Mercer University in 2009. She participated in the inaugural Georgia Chamber High Potentials program in 2018 and was a member of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2020-2021.
Balkcom currently serves on several community leadership boards including Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Public Policy Advisory Committee, Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Gwinnett Technical College Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the Gwinnett County Public School Foundation Board. She is also a member of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s 2025 Inspire Class.
Earth Day recycling site moved to Gwinnett Place Mall
Gwinnett County’s annual Earth Day recycling event will be held April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in a new location, the former Macy’s parking lot at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Executive Director Schelly Marlatt has issued a call for volunteers.
She says: “Observed globally, Earth Day is a time when people of all backgrounds and generations are called to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of the only home we share. What better way to do that locally than through an act of volunteerism? We’re expecting thousands of cars that day, so we’ll need hundreds of volunteers on hand to ensure a smooth experience for our participants.”
Items that will be accepted for recycling at the event include:
- Paper for shredding – limited to five copier paper boxes.
- Electronics – many items are recycled for free except for TVs, monitors, and printers. There will be a $35 cash fee for projectors/console TVs; a $15 cash fee per monitor or regular TV; and a $5 cash fee per printer.
- Paint – both oil-based and latex paint will be accepted, but is limited to 10 gallons per vehicle. Cans must contain 25 percent wet paint to be recycled. No rusted cans will be accepted.
- Tires – limited to eight tires per vehicle; no dealer tires; tires must be free of rims, water, and mud.
Participants should pack smaller recyclables in disposable boxes and containers, understanding that they will NOT be returned.
Gateway85 CID launches “Jimmy,” an AI chatbot
Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) has launched “Jimmy,” an AI-powered chatbot that makes it easier for property owners, community businesses and area stakeholders to access services, submit requests and connect with the CID at any time and in any language.
With the launch of “Jimmy,” Gateway85 is among the first CIDs in Georgia to implement Citibot’s AI-powered platform, and the first CID in Gwinnett County, strengthening communication, improving access and supporting the property owners and businesses that drive one of the county’s most active economic corridors.
Developed with Citibot, a leader in AI-powered tools for local government and community organizations, “Jimmy” is available 24/7 on the Gateway85 website and is designed to provide users with immediate answers or allow them to report issues and request services such as landscaping maintenance and graffiti removal in real time.
“Stakeholder engagement is a core pillar for Gateway85, and that starts with making sure our property and business owners can easily reach us and get what they need in a compressed timeframe,” said Robert Michener, executive director of Gateway85 CID.
Users can access “Jimmy” by visiting www.gateway85.com and clicking the chat icon on any page.
Ossoff announces $334,000 fund for Gwinnett library
Gwinnett County’s public library is among five libraries in Georgia getting federal grants for small business training programs across the state. The Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation is to get $334,000 to expand access to resources and detailed support for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County. The announcement of the funding came from the office of Sen. John Ossoff of Georgia.
Gwinnett Library’s Executive Director Charles Pace responds by saying: “This funding will allow us to continue and expand two of our highly successful entrepreneurship programs that empower and equip adults and teens to pursue their own business ideas.
“We will also use some of the money to purchase new entrepreneurial books and digital resources for our customers. Workplace development and economic opportunity are two of our main focuses at Gwinnett County Public Library. These funds will allow more individuals to achieve their dreams of starting their own business and potentially freeing them from dependency on government assistance or other charitable resources.”
Other libraries in Georgia included in this cycle of funding include two libraries in Athens (at UGA and the regional library), and Jonesboro and Augusta.
