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Gwinnett Chamber Foundation honors small business leaders at inaugural Power of Impact Gala | Lawmakers seek Lottery money for need-based college scholarships | Applications for Jackson EMC Washington Youth Tour now open
Top Stories for December 6th
Publish Date: December 6th
PRE-ROLL: SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, December 6th and Happy Birthday to Peter Buck from REM
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
- Gwinnett Chamber Foundation honors small business leaders at inaugural Power of Impact Gala
- Lawmakers seek Lottery money for need-based college scholarships
- Applications for Jackson EMC Washington Youth Tour now open
All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!
Break 1: Kia Mall of Georgia
STORY 1: Gwinnett Chamber Foundation honors small business leaders at inaugural Power of Impact Gala
The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation held its first-ever Power of Impact Gala on Dec. 3 at Bear’s Best Suwanee, bringing together over 130 business leaders to celebrate small business growth and mentorship.
Award winners included Dr. William “Bill” Russell (Legacy Business Leader), Alicia Cole of Lillies Boutique (Certification Cohort Member), and Berthine Crèvecoeur West of Westbridge Solutions (Accelerator Cohort Member).
The event also celebrated the 2025 Small Business Impact Institute graduates, seven of whom earned supply-chain certifications.
STORY 2: Lawmakers seek Lottery money for need-based college scholarships
Georgia’s public colleges hit record enrollment this fall, with over 382,000 students, but a bipartisan Senate committee says too many are still being left behind. The HOPE Scholarship, funded by the state lottery, has helped over 2 million students since 1993, but it’s merit-based—requiring a 3.0 GPA—and doesn’t account for financial need.
For low-income students juggling work and school, losing HOPE often means dropping out entirely. The committee is pushing for a $126 million need-based aid program, funded by the lottery’s $1.7 billion reserves.
But not everyone’s on board. Critics argue need-based aid feels like “social welfare,” despite warnings of a growing “brain drain” as students leave Georgia for better financial aid elsewhere.
Gov. Brian Kemp praised HOPE’s legacy this week, but advocates say Georgia must do more to keep talented students in-state.
STORY 3: Applications for Jackso
Published on 6 days, 18 hours ago