Henry County, GA | Issue No. 185 |
Good morning, Henry County!
It’s Monday, and Halloween is five days away. The only thing scarier than the candy math is your power bill, and it just landed on the ballot.
Here’s what’s on deck. Google leased a million square feet in Locust Grove. A Hampton cemetery is asking to be seen before a data center rises next door. And two seats that help set your Georgia Power rates are up for a vote. Early voting ends Friday.
After that, we get to the fun stuff. Costume contests, cats in costumes, and a Halloween weekend with more plans than candy bowls.
Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️
DEVELOPMENT
Google Just Leased a Million Square Feet in Locust Grove
Google signed a lease for about one million square feet at The Cubes at Locust Grove, just off I-75. Illustrative image.
HENRY COUNTY: Henry County’s stretch of Interstate 75 just got a lot more interesting. Google has signed a lease for about one million square feet at 700 Price Drive in Locust Grove, a warehouse and logistics facility in The Cubes at Locust Grove industrial park, just off I-75.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the lease and clarified what the facility is: a warehouse and logistics operation, not a data center.
The Cubes at Locust Grove sits on Price Drive off Exit 212. The area already hosts a dense cluster of logistics and distribution operations, and this lease adds one of the most recognizable names in the world to that list.
Why it matters: Warehouse leases of this size bring construction jobs, permanent operations jobs, and increased commercial tax revenue. The I-75 south corridor from Locust Grove toward Macon is becoming a logistics spine for the region, and what happens along that corridor affects housing demand, road infrastructure, and long-term development in Henry County.
STATE & LOCAL ECONOMY
Audi’s $4 Billion Plant Is Coming to Middle Georgia. Here’s the Henry County Angle.
GEORGIA: Georgia just landed one of the biggest economic development deals in state history. Audi AG and Governor Brian Kemp announced on October 24 that the German automaker will build its first U.S. manufacturing plant at the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, a $4 billion investment expected to create 4,500 jobs.
The plant is planned for Peach County, about 20 minutes from Perry. Site grading begins in 2027, construction in 2028, and full production is expected in 2031.
Henry County sits on the I-75 corridor that leads toward Middle Georgia. Google is already here, and Audi is coming. The question worth watching is what comes in between.
Why it matters: The direct jobs are in Peach County. But the supply chain ripple effects along I-75 are real, and Henry County has positioned itself well to capture some of that activity. Watch this one closely over the next 18 months.
COMMUNITY & HISTORY
A Hampton Cemetery From the 1800s Is Fighting to Survive a Data Center Next Door
Overgrown land off Lower Woolsey Road in Hampton, near the O’Neal AME Church cemetery.
HENRY COUNTY: Hidden off Lower Woolsey Road in Hampton, behind overgrown trees and decades of neglect, sits the O’Neal AME Church cemetery. Dozens of graves rest there. Some headstones are inscribed with dates from the 1800s. One reads January 1st, 1864. That date lands differently when you think about what was happening in Georgia that year.
The people buried there were African Americans born before, during, and after the Civil War. And right now, a 600-acre data center project called Hampton Technology Park is being built directly next door.
Honor Thy Roots Cemetery Preservation Inc., led by founder Shawndrea Gay and co-founder Efaye Lloyd, found the cemetery and sounded the alarm. The site has never been formally surveyed or mapped. Sunken graves mark the ground. The group fears construction may have already reached burial sites.
“These are graves,” Gay said, standing near the edge of the property. “Look how close we are.”
Lloyd added: “There’s never been any type of survey on this land.”
The group tried to bring their concerns to Hampton City Council, but the meeting was canceled for lack of a quorum. Hampton City Manager Alex Cohilas has since said Georgia Power, which is building a transfer station on the adjacent property, is willing to construct a more permanent barrier and provide access to the cemetery. The city says it will work with preservation advocates, even though the land is privately owned.
Gay said the group remains open to dialogue. “If anyone contacts us, we’re willing to talk and possibly work something out.”
Honor Thy Roots has launched a GoFundMe to fund grave monuments and restoration work. Follow them on Instagram for updates.
Why it matters: This is a story about who gets remembered and who gets forgotten. A cemetery full of Black Georgians who lived through slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow sits unmarked while a major development rises beside it. How Hampton and Henry County respond will tell us a lot about how we value our history.
GOOD TO KNOW | YOUR MONEY
Your Georgia Power Bill Is On the Ballot November 3
HENRY COUNTY: Most Henry County voters don’t know it, but two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission, the five-member board that sets Georgia Power rates, are on the ballot Tuesday, November 3, eight days from today.
Henry County voters are eligible to vote in both races.
The PSC currently has a 3-2 Republican majority. The commission has final say on rate increases, renewable energy contracts, and data center discount programs that critics say shift costs onto residential ratepayers.
Early voting ends this Friday, October 30. Henry County has six locations open 8AM to 5PM.
Why it matters: Every Henry County household that pays a Georgia Power bill has a stake in this election. It rarely gets coverage. Now you know.
GOOD TO KNOW | COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Henry County Schools Wants Your Input Tonight. Here’s How to Weigh In.
HENRY COUNTY: Henry County Schools is holding fall Community Conversations tonight, Monday October 26. Stockbridge cluster families can head to Stockbridge High School at 5:30 PM. Dutchtown cluster families can head to Dutchtown High School at 6 PM. You get to meet school administrators and share your input on your child’s school and the district’s direction.
Why it matters: Decisions about your child’s school get made whether or not you weigh in. This is one of the few times the district asks for your input directly, so if you’ve got an opinion, tonight is the night to share it.
GOOD TO KNOW | COMMUNITY
A Homebound Senior in Henry County Needs a Holiday Visitor. Could It Be You?
HENRY COUNTY: Henry County Senior Services is launching its annual Adopt-A-Senior program, a chance to bring holiday joy to homebound senior citizens in our community. Contact Tammy Smith to get involved.
📞 (770) 288-6988
📧 [email protected]
Why it matters: There are seniors in Henry County who will spend the holidays without a visitor. This program changes that.
GOOD TO KNOW | JOBS
Police, Sheriff and Fire Recruiters Are Under One Roof. Here’s When.
HENRY COUNTY: A Public Safety Hiring Event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. HCPD, HCSO, and Henry County Fire Rescue will all have recruiters on site. If you or someone you know is considering a career in public safety, this is the event to attend. Details on location and time coming from Henry County Government’s official channels.
Why it matters: These are the agencies that answer when you call, and they hire from the community they serve. The right recruit might be someone you already know.
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Looking ahead? Here’s what’s happening this week and beyond.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Halloween Costume Contest at Fortson Public Library
📍 61 McDonough Street, Hampton | 🕐 3 to 7PM | FREE, drop-in
Arrive in costume, get your photo taken, and get entered in the contest. Winners announced later this week. All ages welcome.
Monday Night Cruise at Summit Racing
📍 Summit Racing, Henry County | 🕐 6 to 8PM
The weekly car cruise. A great reason to get outside before Halloween week kicks into full gear.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Spooky Cat Scavenger Hunt (Tue to Fri) at McDonough Public Library
📍 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd, McDonough (Young Adult section) | 🕐 All day | FREE
Find all the cats dressed in Halloween costumes hidden in the YA section. Find them all, win a prize.
Pinktoberfest
📍 15th Street Pizza & Pub, Henry County | 🕐 5:30 to 9:30PM
Pink everything, fall vibes, good cause. Presented by Visit Henry County.
Frida’s Anniversary Celebration
📍 Frida’s, Eagles Landing location | 🕐 6 to 9PM
One of Henry County’s favorite spots is celebrating an anniversary. Stop in and show some love.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
Spooky Cat Cafe at McDonough Public Library
📍 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd, McDonough | 🕐 5 to 7PM | FREE
Meet adoptable cats from Winging Cat Rescue. Learn about community cat programs and TNR. Spooky treat included. Fill out an adoption application and you could go home with a new family member.
Monster Mash Family Glow Bash at Cochran Public Library
📍 174 Burke Street, Stockbridge | 🕐 6 to 7PM | FREE, no registration required
Glow in the dark dancing, music, Halloween treats and candy. Costumes optional. Perfect for the whole family.
Henry’s Night Out
📍 Target Parking Lot, 1850 Jonesboro Road, McDonough | 🕐 6 to 9PM | FREE
Community and law enforcement come together. A Henry County tradition. Email [email protected] or call 770-288-8441 for info.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
1942 Social Halloween 90s Party with T-Mo Goodie of Goodie Mob
📍 7240 Davidson Parkway N., Stockbridge | 🕐 9PM | $15
Live performance by T-Mo Goodie of Goodie Mob. Sounds by G-Beats. Costume contest. Hip hop, R&B, good people.
Southern Roots Mahjong Society (Every Friday)
📍 Southern Roots Tavern, McDonough | 🕐 6 to 8:30PM
Hosted by Coast & Cove Mahjong Social. Guided and open play. Beginners welcome. The society just opened on October 22, so get in on the ground floor.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 (HALLOWEEN)
Southern Belle Farm: Last Weekend of Peak Fall Season
SOLD OUT
📍 McDonough | 🕐 Sat 10AM to 7PM, Sun 1PM to 7PM, Wed to Fri 9AM to 5PM (last entry 6PM on weekends)
Pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races, hayrides. Final peak weekend of the season.
Sweet Auburn BBQ Kids Eat Free
📍 Sweet Auburn BBQ, McDonough | 🕐 Halloween only | One free kids meal per adult entrée purchased
The Asian smokehouse in McDonough is making Halloween sweeter for families. One night only. Check @sweetauburnbbq_mcd on Instagram for details.
Halloween Soul Affair
📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N. Henry Blvd., Stockbridge | 🕐 7PM
Johnny Gill, Maze and The Levert Experience headline this R&B and soul Halloween night out in Stockbridge. Tickets from the original canceled date are being honored.
COMING UP: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Mighty Hero Homes 5K & Fun Run
📍 Pilgreen’s at Lake Dow, McDonough | 🕐 5K starts 8AM, Fun Run 8:30AM
Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Register at runsignup.com. Info: mightyherohomes.org / 770-842-1483.
That’s your Monday, Henry County.
Before you go: early voting ends Friday, October 30, and the polls don’t take candy as payment. Vote early, wear the costume, and keep one eye on the county. We’ll keep the other.
While you’re at it, hop over to Instagram and give us a follow at @eagleeyedigest. It’s where we keep an eye on the county between issues.
If this issue made your morning a little sharper, forward it to a neighbor who needs it. They’ll thank you, or at least stop asking you what’s going on in Henry County.
Stay sharp. Stay local. 🦅👁️