Socomec, a global industrial group that designs, manufactures, and markets low-voltage electrical equipment, has announced the company’s expansion in Gwinnett with a new facility in unincorporated Suwanee at 2935 Shawnee Industrial Way. This will create 300 new jobs and represents more than $10 million in capital investment.
Socomec is headquartered in Benfeld, France and has 4,400 total employees worldwide.
Michele Putignano, president and CEO of Socomec North America, says: “Opening our new facility in Georgia marks a major milestone in Socomec’s growth in North America. The state’s strong talent pool, infrastructure, and business environment make it the ideal location to accelerate innovation, support the energy transition, and advance our commitment to sustainable development while delivering greater value to our customers.”
Socomec specializes in power switching, monitoring, conversion, and energy storage, as well as services that support each business area. Socomec launched its U.S. subsidiary in 2009 and has since invested in local manufacturing, resources, and product development, allowing for the group to support the evolving needs in the North American market with a combination of local expertise and global support.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners says: “Gwinnett County’s strength lies in the diversity of our industries and the vision we share for long-term prosperity. Socomec’s investment reinforces our strategy to build a balanced, resilient economy. By welcoming companies like this, we’re not only growing jobs and capital investment, we’re also ensuring that Gwinnett remains a place where businesses of all kinds can succeed and our community can flourish.”
- Hiring for production and operations roles is expected to begin in early 2026. To learn more about Socomec, visit Socomec.US.
Lawrenceville offers temporary help to utility customers
Lawrenceville Utilities, the utility division of the City of Lawrenceville, is providing temporary assistance to residential customers who receive electric or natural gas service from the City and are facing financial hardship due to the loss of SNAP benefits or a federal furlough. These funds come from the City’s Round-Up Program, which allows participating customers to round up their bills to the next dollar to support households in need.
Applications are screened through the City’s partners, the Lawrenceville Response Center, a stabilization program of Impact46, which verifies eligibility and facilitates assistance as available. To qualify, applicants must be active Lawrenceville Utilities account holders, and the name on the application must match the utility account holder. Assistance is limited to a one-time award per eligible household.
The program offers vital short-term relief during times of financial uncertainty.
“Lawrenceville is a community that takes care of its neighbors,” says Mayor David Still. “Through the Round-Up Program, small acts of generosity add up to make a real difference. Whether it is helping families keep their utilities on during a difficult time or offering support through trusted community partners, this program reflects the compassion and unity that define our city.”
City Manager Chuck Warbington added, “The Round-Up Program is one of the best examples of how a city-owned utility can directly serve its community. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps ensure that our neighbors have the support they need when unexpected challenges arise. It is about being responsive, reliable, and human in how we deliver essential services.”
Lawrenceville Utilities also reminds customers that service disconnections are suspended during periods of extreme weather. Natural gas disconnections will not occur when temperatures are forecast to be below 32°F for a 48-hour period beginning at 8 a.m. on the proposed disconnection date and electric disconnections will not occur when a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect prior to 8 a.m. on the disconnection date.
Gwinnett Clinic doctor named vice chair of regents
The member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, who is an official of Gwinnett Clinic, has been named vice chairman of its board. He is Dr. Deep Shah. He joined the Regents in 2024 as an at-large member. He is a practicing primary care physician and the chief operating officer at Gwinnett Clinic, a northeast Atlanta multi-specialty group, which champions patient-centered, physician-led care.
Named chairman of the Regents for a one year term is David B. Dove of Marietta, who joined the Board in 2024 and represents Georgia’s 11th congressional district. He will serve as chair from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Dove is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke in Atlanta, where his practice focuses on regulatory and economic investment matters. Originally from Athens, Dove earned his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Georgia, where he was inducted into the Order of Barristers and Blue Key Honor Society.
Shah, who lives in Johns Creek, graduated with highest honors from the University of Georgia as a Foundation Fellow and won Truman and Rhodes scholarships to study at Oxford University, where he earned a master’s degree in social policy. He earned his medical degree from Harvard University and trained in internal medicine at Emory University before entering private practice.
