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Kathryn Jones
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Click here to download this release as a PDF.
Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell Delivers 2025 State of Henry County Address
Over 400 Attended for Record-Breaking Crowd at Council for Quality Growth Annual Event
HENRY COUNTY, GA – On Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, the Council for Quality Growth hosted a record-breaking crowd for the 2025 State of Henry County Address at Grace Baptist Church in Stockbridge. Presented by Geosam Capital Group, Piedmont Henry Hospital, and Truist, the breakfast and program featured the annual address from the Chairwoman of Henry County’s Board of Commissioners, Carlotta Harrell. More than 400 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of Henry County attended in person, and more tuned into the live stream.
Chairwoman Harrell delivered her 5th State of the County address with the words ‘HENRY COMMITTED’ lettered across the stage behind her. She emphasized the county’s diversity as a distinguishing and defining strength. “Henry County is a beautiful mosaic of stories, cultures, neighborhoods, and generations. Here, we embrace it. We elevate it,” she began. “If we build a county that serves the few at the expense of the many, we will come up short.”
[Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell delivers the 2025 State of Henry County Address]
The Chairwoman discussed economic development first, stating that $800 million in new investment in Henry County last year created 1,500 new jobs. This is at the onset of the single largest private investment in the county’s history, a manufacturing facility by Renewal by Anderson, which will open later this year. This $425 million dollar investment will generate and support 900 new jobs. In addition, healthcare investment is growing, with new businesses opening and a $212 million expansion of Piedmont Henry Hospital. “Whether you’re starting a business or looking for a job, we want you to be able to achieve your definition of success right here,” said Harrell. She highlighted the work of the local school system and technical college to educate and train the workforce needed to support the many manufacturing, technology, and healthcare jobs that are coming to Henry County as a result of its growth.
She also addressed transportation infrastructure, reporting 26 miles of resurfaced roads and several roadway construction projects started last year. “You can see that as our county keeps growing, we are working tirelessly to ensure that our infrastructure keeps up the pace,” she said. “We still have much catching up to do.” Henry County voters approved a SPLOST renewal this past November, allowing significant capital improvements to continue. “Without SPLOST and TSPLOST, the progress stops,” Harrell stated. The Chairwoman and her Commissioners are looking for ways to improve the transit network, through new bus routes, fleet expansion, and a Trail Wayfinding Plan, which is in progress now.
Chairwoman Harrell addressed public safety and the judicial system, proudly reporting a 14% decrease in crime last year. Henry’s police department is working to establish a Police Training County and increase youth mentorship. The fire and emergency services departments are leveraging new technology to shorten response times. Harrell stated her commitment to providing resources and services that address mental health needs among Henry County residents. She also talked about new community initiatives, including health and wellness classes at senior centers, home meal delivery, public events and programs, and ground-breaking on a new aquatic and recreation centers.
Harrell concluded her address with the presentation of the Henry Hero Awards, which honor the unsung heroes that keep Henry County going, and the Barham Leadership Award, which was presented to Public Safety Director Mark Amerman. The Chairwoman annually uses her State of the County platform to recognize the people that serve the county every day. “Her leadership is not just about policies and progress, it’s about people,” said Cheri Matthews, County Manager.
The Council for Quality Growth works with Chairwoman Harrell, Henry County, and its local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. “Chairwoman Harrell’s visionary leadership has been a driving force behind the transformational projects unfolding in Henry County,” said Michael E. Paris, President & CEO of the Council. “The Council is proud to support the progress happening in Henry and looks forward to seeing what’s still to come.”
The 2025 State of Henry also featured remarks from Danny Johnson, Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, and Cheri Matthews, County Manager of Henry County. Presenting sponsor remarks were provided by Patrick Brooks, Vice President of Geosam Capital Group, David Kent, CEO of Piedmont Henry Hospital, and Charlene Craig, Senior Vice President of Truist. The Council for Quality Growth’s State of Henry County is the fifth of eight State of the County events held in 2025 and annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies, as well as with other local leaders from across the region.
[From left: Patrick Brooks, Charlene Craig, Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell,
Cheri Matthews, Danny Johnson, Michael Paris, David Kent]
A photo gallery and the recording of the full event will be made in the coming days at https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/news-press/.
About the State of the County/Agency Series
The Council for Quality Growth hosts 10 ‘State of’ events across the region, including 8 counties and 2 agencies. We work in close collaboration with the office of the County Chairs in Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale, as well as with leadership at MARTA and the Atlanta Beltline, to provide a platform for our counties and agency partners deliver an annual update on achievements, projects, and the future that is specifically geared toward the business community and the Council’s membership. A full calendar of the Council’s 2025 Signature Events, including the State of the County/Agency series, can be viewed and downloaded here: 2025 Programs Calendar
About the Council for Quality Growth
The Council for Quality Growth is a trade organization that works to ensure continued growth and economic success for generations to come by providing advocacy, information, and education to its members. In its 40th year, the Council is committed to the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth and is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to the growth and development industry. The Council addresses, head-on, strategic economic planning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. For more information, please visit http://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.
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