HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved $390,000 to demolish 39 unsafe structures across its six magisterial districts on June 24.

The move comes in response to widespread resident concerns about deteriorating and unmaintained properties, according to a news release.

In addition to the scheduled demolitions, nine additional properties will be subject to enforcement action for necessary remediation.

The release said funding for the initiative will come from county reserve funds that were previously allocated to help balance the current fiscal year’s budget.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our citizens that blighted and unkept properties are a concern, and this action shows that we’re not just listening but we’re doing the legwork to respond,” said Board Chairman Jim Adams. “While the Board has long recognized these issues, the feedback we received through the comprehensive planning process helped reinforce the need to prioritize this effort and commit the necessary resources.”

Preliminary data from the county’s yet-to-be-finalized comprehensive plan revealed strong resident dissatisfaction with property upkeep.

About 69% of survey respondents disagreed with the statement “properties in Henry County are well maintained.”

In open-ended responses, citizens called for the demolition of abandoned and unsafe buildings, suggesting redevelopment could benefit both residential and commercial areas.

Research supports the county’s approach, the release said.

A 2016 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that for every $1 spent on demolishing blighted properties in Philadelphia, the return was $5.

Factoring in reductions in violent crime, that figure jumped to $79.

Another study from Econsult Corporation noted that blighted properties could decrease surrounding property values by up to 3.5%.

While a definitive timeline for completion has not been set, county officials confirmed that deed research and preparatory work are already underway.

In other matters, the board:

• Approved an additional appropriation of $19,942 from state asset forfeiture funds to purchase a 2025 Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXR 1000L All-Terrain Vehicle for the sheriff’s office to enhance the department’s ability to respond to incidents in wooded areas
• Approved an additional appropriation of $45,000 received through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to continue funding a school resource officer at the Career Academy
• Awarded a contract to J.L. Culpepper & Company, Inc., to supply food for the Henry County Adult Detention Center. Due to the fluctuation in the number of inmates, the contract does not specify a total expenditure amount; however, the fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget has allocated $730,000 for this purpose
• Awarded a $155,290 contract to Daniel Builders, LLC., for the renovation of four bathrooms on the second floor of the Administration Building
• Awarded a $229,889 contract to JC Joyce Trucking & Paving Company to repave the parking lot
• at the Henry County Department of Public Safety (HCDPS) Training Center.
• Awarded a $106,071 contract to MainMicro Technologies Corporation for Microsoft Office 365 licensing, as part of the county’s software migration
• Awarded a $207,900 contract to Taylor Enterprise, Inc., for the construction of a prototype 2 house for the Villa Heights Housing Project
• Approved an additional appropriation of $54,017 received from the Virginia Department of Health’s Return to Locality Fund. The funds will be dispersed evenly amongst HCDPS and the volunteer rescue agencies for training, supplies, and/or equipment
• Approved a categorical transfer request from Henry County Public Schools to transfer $1.35 million to the school’s maintenance category. The funds will be used to upgrade lighting at several schools and to install air conditioning in the Axton Elementary School gym.
• Approved an emergency mutual aid agreement with Pittsylvania County to assist them with building inspection-related services for the next 120 days
• Conducted a public hearing and approved an ordinance that provides a 1.5% one-time bonus to employees of the Henry-Martinsville Department of Social Services
• Set a public hearing on August 26, 2025, to receive input on solar siting agreements with Firebird Solar and Thunderbird Solar
• Appointed Carl Fleming to the Local Finance Board for OPEB Liability for an unexpired term set to end June 30, 2026

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