Rowen is excited to announce a major milestone: the Rowen Convergence Center—our first vertical development and future hub of Georgia’s largest knowledge community—will break ground in 2026. This 10,000-square-foot facility will serve as Rowen’s front door, creating flexible space for collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, students, industry partners and community leaders. We’re proud to partner with Holder Construction, recognized for delivering complex, high-quality projects, to bring this vision to life.
Combined with the recent opening of more than two miles of green roads and pedestrian and bike friendly pathways, this milestone marks our shift from planning to building and reinforces our commitment to advancing economic opportunity in the Rowen Region and across Georgia. We look forward to sharing more progress in the year ahead.
Mason Ailstock
President & CEO

Developers nationwide are embracing sustainable, climate-resilient communities as a competitive advantage, building efficient, future-forward infrastructure from the ground up. Rowen is a standout example, noting how its 2,000-acre, research-oriented development integrates resilient infrastructure, advanced stormwater systems and environmentally conscious design. For companies evaluating long-term locations, this shift underscores rising demand for sustainable real estate and strengthens Rowen’s position as an innovative destination for growth.
Rowen’s inaugural 10,000-square-foot Convergence Center is set to break ground in mid-2026. Designed to serve as a dynamic and adaptable hub for research, collaboration and convening, the Center will anchor partnerships between corporations, academic institutions and the local community. This milestone—along with recent completion of our initial roads and utilities—signals Rowen’s transition from site preparation to shovel-ready, a key step for companies evaluating locations within the knowledge community.
Rowen and Gwinnett County are working together to meet the growing demand from companies seeking sustainable, long-term growth opportunities in the Atlanta region. Through this partnership, Rowen offers ample development-ready land, coordinated local investment and strong alignment with the county’s economic development priorities. With a focus on sectors such as biotech, ag-tech and energy, Rowen is positioned to deliver speed to market and long-term scalability.
Georgia’s business climate continues to stand out. The state ranked third-best for business climate by Site Selection Magazine and No. 1 for business for the 12th consecutive year by Area Development. Part of the tri-state economic development alliance uniting Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi — the Peach State is one of the most dynamic business hubs in the country. Rowen closely aligns with this statewide momentum, offering flexible sites, scalable infrastructure, global connectivity, and access to one of the nation’s top business environments.
Rowen’s academic and local partners have set the foundation for long-term workforce growth centered on cultivating local talent and creating pathways into high-demand careers. Through partnerships with regional educators, employers and community organizations, Rowen provides the space and collaboration needed to equip students and residents with hands-on learning in its key industries: medicine, agriculture, environmental sciences and technology. These initiatives ensure that companies locating in the Rowen Region benefit from a strong, future-ready talent pipeline built to meet evolving industry needs.
This year, Rowen took part in more than 70 events, actively furthering its mission to promote Georgia’s largest knowledge community. We’re excited to continue our conversations with you in the coming year.
Board Meetings
Digital Meeting Details: Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026 Time: 1:00 – 1:30PM EST Click here to register! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.
Blog
If you’re ever driving around Georgia and see a man on the side of the road, staring at the clouds, there’s a chance you just saw Dr. Marshall Shephard. As a certified Weather Geek™, Dr. Shephard is an extremely successful meteorologist and professor at University of Georgia who sincerely appreciates the beauty in our skies. […]
Newsletters
A Milestone Year Marked by Leadership, Investments and Engagement Rowen 2025: A Year of Growth, Community, and Impact. We are incredibly proud of the progress Rowen has made in advancing our mission to shape a healthier, more sustainable and innovative future for Georgia. This year was marked by strategic growth, new partnerships and collaboration that established a strong foundation for our vertical development.