Chris Lawless, who is running for the Collinsville District seat on the Henry County Board of Supervisors, announced a $1 million investment in a property that will become home to Lawless Welding and Fabrications Inc.
Chris Lawless announced a $1 million investment in property located on Stultz Road.
He announced the investment, ongoing work and plans at a press conference that was held at his newly acquired property at 1687 Stultz Road, a site formerly used by the Henry County Public Service Authority and Virginia Department of Transportation.
The site is the first piece of property the company has owned, Lawless said, adding that significant improvements to the property are already underway, with tree removal marking the beginning of a larger revitalization effort.
When completed, he said the site will be known as ‘Lawless Campus,’ a space he hopes will bring “positivity” and help drive revitalization in the Collinsville/Fieldale areas and surrounding community.
A neighborhood cookout is planned once cleanup efforts are completed, and he has plans to incorporate murals on some or all of the buildings to brighten the community.
“Put your money where your mouth is — we are going to help revitalize this neighborhood,” Lawless said, and reflected on his personal journey. He described himself as a troubled college student and credited welding with turning his life around.
“Welding saved my life,” he said, adding that hard work and dedication fueled his success. “I would work a 40-hour job, and I would work my job on the side. If you would have asked me about this in 2011, I was just trying to make part-time, side money.”
Lawless also credited his wife, Brandy Lawless, for helping him grow more compassionate.
In addition to economic investment, Lawless emphasized the importance of civic involvement and volunteerism.
“These people have got to have someone to look up to, right?” he said. “Volunteers are the heartbeat of this place. Without them, I feel like taxes would go up.”
He acknowledged his visibility in the community and frequent appearances at events.
“I want everybody to see me and what I’m doing,” Lawless said. “If they don’t see you doing it, how do they know you’re doing it?”
Recently, Lawless participated in a new trash pickup initiative in Henry County and praised fire and rescue personnel for engaging students in schools to boost volunteerism.
“It feels good at the end of the day, and that’s the kind of stuff I want these kids to see.”
He also stressed the importance of investing in youth and the local workforce. Lawless said the county lags behind Danville and needs “love” to keep young people from leaving.
“Everybody needs to start thinking about the kids and grandkids,” he said, and emphasized the need to promote skilled trades and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the school board on budget issues to support job readiness.
“I want to see my people staying here and keeping jobs, and keeping things going.”
Lawless said he will continue to focus on the issues central to his campaign in his November bid against incumbent Joe Bryant.
