The Henry County Board of Supervisors recently convened to discuss their latest agenda, focusing on how they want to represent the county in official language.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the term “mill town” and whether it remains an appropriate descriptor for Henry County.
“I want to hold onto that past and not ignore it, but acknowledge it,” Dr. Pam Cobler, of the Reed Creek District said. “This is an important part of our history.”
Many board members sought to balance respect for the county’s industrial heritage while also embracing a broader vision for the future.
“We refer to historic areas of development around factories and mills. We used to be textiles and furniture, but we’re much more than that now. What do we refer to them as?” Jim Adams, of the Blackberry District, and board chairman asked.
“What’s wrong with being a mill town? It’s true for how a lot of folks view our past,” Garrett Dillard, of the Iriswood District asked. “What makes that a negative?”
While the discussion was tabled, the majority of the board appeared to favor a forward-thinking approach in county materials, one that acknowledges its manufacturing history while reflecting the ways it has changed.
The board also briefly discussed the county’s cultural and environmental resources and concerns, particularly the issue of littering.
“Trash is a problem. There is an issue of littering, and we do not want trash to be the first thing people see when they come to Henry County,” Joe Bryant, of the Collinsville District, pointed out.
Supervisors emphasized the county’s natural beauty as a key asset for tourism but noted that littering was beginning to harm that image. The discussion included ideas to promote community involvement in keeping the county clean.
“It’s the citizens’ responsibility to keep our county clean,” Bryant added.
On the agenda’s action items, the board reviewed plans for revitalization, including housing expansion while respecting private property boundaries. Another major topic was the impact of state regulations at the county level, with some supervisors feeling they were being applied inappropriately which could potentially harm development.
“There’s a lot of push and pull between growth and regulations that aren’t appropriate for Henry County. Most of our land is agricultural, but we’re forced to treat any development like it’s surrounded by an impervious surface,” Adams said.
Near the end of the meeting, supervisors discussed the difficulty of finding volunteers for EMS programs across the county. Ideas include relying more on part-time staff or increasing incentives to retain current volunteers.
The next work session to continue developing the supervisor agenda is scheduled for May 28 at the Henry County Administration Building in the Summerlin Room. Regular monthly board meetings will continue as scheduled.
