UQonnect

Jake M

@jakem

Henry County is changing, and there’s a lot to talk about. 👀 If you’ve lived in Henry County for a while, you already know things don’t stay the same around here for long. More houses, more businesses, more construction—and hopefully some road improvements that actually make a difference in our daily commutes. 😅 Here’s some of what’s happening around the county. 🚗 Let’s start with these roads… Highway 81 is getting some attention. GDOT is planning to widen another stretch of the highway between Bethany Road and Keys Ferry Road to four lanes. There’s a public meeting tomorrow, October 15, from 6–8 PM at Ola Elementary School for anyone interested in seeing the plans or asking questions. And if you drive Jonesboro Road, Highway 42, or Rock Quarry Road regularly, you already know construction is still very much part of the Henry County experience. 🏡 More development? Of course. McDonough has a Lennar Homes ribbon cutting happening October 15 on Camp Ground Road. Stockbridge is welcoming Patillo Manor, a new community with homes starting in the $500Ks. Its grand opening is October 21. And Hampton is getting a new Zaxby’s on Tara Boulevard, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for October 22. Now the question is, what businesses do we actually NEED more of around here? Because everybody has an opinion on that one. 😂 🏛️ A few things residents should be paying attention to… Hampton voters have a homestead tax exemption proposal on the November 3 ballot. The city has also placed a temporary hold on data center development while officials work through regulations. McDonough Municipal Court has an amnesty program underway this month for eligible outstanding cases. Meanwhile, Locust Grove officials have been discussing streetlights for Astoria, restoration work along Grove Road, and the city’s upcoming budget. But here’s the bigger conversation… Henry County keeps growing, and growth isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The real question is whether our roads, infrastructure, and community resources are keeping up. More rooftops bring more people. More people bring more traffic. And residents want to see improvements that make everyday life better, not just more development. 💬 So, Henry County, what are your thoughts? Are you happy with the direction your city is heading, or are there things you wish local leaders would prioritize? Whether you’re in McDonough, Hampton, Stockbridge, or Locust Grove, let’s hear it.