While the Henry County Board of Supervisors were unable to reach consensus on solar development, they united behind a significant infrastructure investment during the Tuesday, Aug. 26, meeting, and unanimously approved a $6 million allocation to the Public Service Authority (PSA) to support a major expansion of public water service along Horsepasture Price Road.
The county’s $6 million contribution will help the PSA meet the financial requirements tied to a Virginia Department of Health funding package, which includes a low-interest loan and more than $3.3 million in principal forgiveness. The total cost of the project is estimated at $8.5 million.
Led by the PSA, the project includes the construction of about 64,000 linear feet of new water main. Once completed, it will create a redundant transmission route from U.S. 58 to the southern portion of the county’s water system, including the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre (CCBC).
“This project is a crucial step forward in strengthening our infrastructure to support continued growth at Commonwealth Crossing,” said Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, and of the Blackberry District. “When companies evaluate potential sites, they are looking for water systems that are reliable, resilient, and built for future expansion. This investment ensures we stay competitive and ready for the next opportunity.”
The expansion builds on recent industrial momentum at CCBC, which has attracted companies such as Press Glass and Crown Holdings. In 2023, the state awarded $22 million for site development at Lot 2 of CCBC and earlier this year provided $750,000 for preliminary design work on Lot 3.
While a core focus is economic development, the Horsepasture Price Road project also brings relief to approximately 265 potential residential customers who currently lack access to public water. Testing revealed that more than a third of private wells in the area contain coliform bacteria, and many residents report low yields or a complete lack of water.
“A lot of families along this road have struggled with unsafe or unreliable water for years,” said Debra Buchanan, of the Horsepasture District. “Some have had to haul water, others have drilled multiple wells just to get by. I am proud that we are finally able to bring them the security and peace of mind that comes with public water. This is a meaningful improvement to their quality of life, and I am grateful we can make it happen.”
“This project strengthens our ability to attract new industry while also solving real problems for families who have struggled without reliable water,” added Travis Pruitt, of the Ridgeway District. “It is the kind of investment that supports growth and improves lives at the same time.”
The PSA has pursued funding for more than a decade. With VDH financing now in place and local support secured, construction is expected to begin in 2026 following final engineering and permitting.
Solar Agreements
Votes on two proposed solar siting agreements were tied, and therefore did not pass.
The first proposal was with Firebird Solar, LLC.
Pruitt made a motion to approve, seconded by Garrett Dillard, of the Iriswood District. Pruitt, Dillard, and Adams supported. Vice Chairman Joe Bryant, of the Collinsville District, Buchanan, and Pam Cobler, of the Reed Creek District, opposed it.
“A motion that results in a tie vote fails,” Adams explained.
The second proposed agreement, with Thunderbird Solar, LLC, also failed in a tie vote after a motion from Pruitt seconded by Dillard. Pruitt, Dillard, and Adams supported it, while Cobler, Bryant, and Buchanan opposed.
Both Firebird and Thunderbird are subsidiaries of Catalyze, LLC, a renewable energy producer.
County Attorney George Lyle said the companies plan to develop a solar power facility in the Ridgeway District.
“They have obtained from the Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals a special use permit. As development and process went on, and as negotiations for this siting agreement went on, they extended it through 2026,” Lyle said.
He said state code allows siting agreements between localities and developers, with part of the deal involving cash payments.
“In this case, Firebird has proposed to make installment payments as described in the agreement of $75,000 after the site is fully developed and brought online,” he said.
If Thunderbird’s facility is built and brought to full capacity, payments of $125,000 would be made to the county.
Catalyze Project Development Manager Ed Switzer said the company currently operates 225 megawatts of projects across seven states.
“On our stormwater, we did get our approval from the Virginia DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) for our design. We received all of our approvals from an engineering perspective,” he said.
Some residents near the proposed projects spoke against the agreements.
Sam Brantingham, who lives near the site, said he believes the public hearing wasn’t properly advertised.
“There were no signs put up telling about this. We just found out this morning through word of mouth that this was being held today,” Brantingham said.
Lyle said he suspected Brantingham was referring to the fact that in many land use cases, the county posts signs to alert adjacent property owners, but that was not required in this case. The legal notices were advertised according to law, he added.
Brantingham also asked if any changes had been made to the plan since its approval about three years ago, particularly concerning transformer line placement.
“Also in that agreement they said they would do whatever’s necessary to shield our property from having to look at the solar farm all the time. We’re 150 feet from the solar farm. Our house, like I say, is remote. We’ve been there 45 years, we built the house in 1983, and our front porch is going to look directly on the solar farm,” he said.
While a 90-foot buffer is planned between the facility and his property, Brantingham said his porch will still sit 60 feet from that boundary line.
“We’re looking at 150 feet of clearance between our front porch where we have our bird feeders and sit regularly now that we’re retired,” he said.
Paul Nicholson also spoke in opposition, raising concerns about potential impacts to nearby springs and the water supply.
“It is detrimental to the community and that neighborhood, which I’ve been there 75 years. There’s five springs above me, I’ve been in every one of them, I drank water out of them. But now having to deal with this because you people, somebody decided ahead of time how to vote. You all took more than five minutes to make a decision, I ain’t got but five minutes” to talk, Nicholson said.
“You’re talking about my life, community, and the people that are there are opposed to it,” he added.
Nicholson, an electrician, said the facility will generate a constant hum and won’t reduce electricity prices.
Assertions otherwise are “bull crap. It will not go down. What we’re losing is clear air, and we got a detriment to water coming,” he said.
Nicholson also questioned whether the board was informed enough to make the decision.
Pruitt said the meeting was the first time he had heard concerns from Brantingham or Nicholson.
“I’ve talked to others in the immediate area, none of those have had anything negative to say. The responses that I’ve gotten from the general area about solar that’s down the street, over on Old Sand Road was complaints about the burning,” he said.
Pruitt added that both siting agreements included a ban on burning on the properties.
“Other than that, I’ve had zero complaints, other than the two we’ve heard tonight,” he said.
In other matters, the board:
*Heard from Matt Davis, of the Greater Bassett Area Community (GBAC) about the need to clean up the trash in the community.
*Heard from David Craig about the need to clean up trash in the community.
*Heard from Michael Tipton about the need to get the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to upgrade the drain systems.
*Heard an update on the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Museum expansion from Executive Director Holly Kozelsky.
*Approved an additional appropriation totaling $450,000 received from two Virginia Department of Emergency Management grants for infrastructure improvements to the 911 center, as well as regional call handling equipment.
*Awarded three contracts totaling $470,866 to purchase 10 replacement vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office.
*Awarded a contract to Smith Turf and Irrigation for $56,915 to purchase a Self-Contained Turf Sprayer for the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex.
*Appointed Twyla Dillard to an unexpired term on the Blue Ridge Regional Library Board set to expire on June 30, 2027.
*Appointed Buzz Custer to an unexpired term on the Patrick & Henry Community College Board set to expire on June 30, 2026.
*Approved a resolution authorizing outside counsel to execute documents necessary to participate in a settlement regarding pending opioid claims with the Sackler family and Perdue Pharma.
*Conducted a public hearing and approved the rezoning of approximately 7-acres of the Blackberry District from Suburban Residential District to Agricultural District. The applicant wishes to market the property for the potential to keep agricultural animals.
*Conducted a public hearing and approved the rezoning of approximately 3.725-acres from Commercial District to Agricultural District. The applicant wishes to allow for the development of an RV park on the property.
*Conducted a public hearing and approved the rezoning of a lot in the Collinsville District from Suburban Residential District to Office and Professional District. The applicant wishes to offer a transitional living opportunity for young adults aging out of the foster system.
*Approved taking $5,000 from the Horsepasture District impact fund to help V.F.W Homer Dillard Post #78 with its renovation and parking lot repairs.
*Heard an update on general highway matters from VDOT Resident Engineer Lisa Price-Hughes.
*Heard from Phillips and Price-Hughes about funding to be used to mow grass.
*Approved the items of consent.
*Heard the monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts.
*Del. Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville, presented a General Assembly Resolution to Rita Shropshire for her work on the Henry County Electoral Board.
*Phillips also presented a General Assembly Resolution to Barry Nelson of Autos by Nelson to honor 50 years of service.
