The Henry County Board of Supervisors has approved an additional appropriation of $5,164,497 for the Beaver Creek Drive Extension project at the Patriot Centre Industrial Park.
The project will extend Beaver Creek Drive approximately 5,122 linear feet, or 0.97 miles, to provide improved industrial access and connectivity, including access to Lots 10 through 14, which represent the next phase of development at the industrial park.
The project is funded through a combination of federal and state resources, including $2,150,000 in Congressional Direct Spending, $664,497 in Appalachian Development Highway System Access Road Funds, $1.5 million from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and $850,000 through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Economic Development Access (EDA) Program. The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission funding will provide the local match required for the
Congressional Direct Spending and EDA grants.
Henry County will administer the project through VDOT’s Locally Administered Projects program. Once completed, the roadway extension will be incorporated into the state highway system. “Improving access and traffic flow within the Patriot Centre is important to supporting our existing industries and preparing for future growth,” said Jim Adams, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “This project will help address safety concerns while opening additional property for industrial development and future job opportunities in Henry County.”
Beaver Creek Drive serves as the primary roadway through the Patriot Centre Industrial Park, home to approximately 4,000 employees and major manufacturers including Eastman, Bassett Furniture, and Howmet Aerospace. The extension was initially proposed following Schock’s 2021 announcement of a planned $85 million investment, which highlighted traffic flow and safety concerns along the existing roadway. Those concerns have continued with Fukoku Korea’s planned $18.9 million investment and 60 new jobs at the former Schock building, where traffic traveling between the new facility and Eastman will move in opposing directions.
The extension project addresses these concerns by constructing two additional lanes along Beaver Creek Drive to the next crossover before reconnecting with the existing westbound lanes. The project includes the roadway extension, drainage improvements, and pavement striping to improve traffic circulation and reduce potential safety concerns.
Beyond addressing current transportation needs, the project will open access to Lots 10 through 14, positioning the industrial park for its next phase of development. With additional investments to prepare these properties for industrial use, the newly accessible lots will create opportunities to attract more businesses and generate future employment in Henry County.
In addition to approving the appropriation, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the County to pursue additional funding through the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). The CTB recently approved increases to the maximum funding caps for VDOT’s Economic Development Access Program.
Under the revised program limits, EDA funding may provide up to $1.25 million per project. For eligible project costs exceeding $1.25 million and up to $1.85 million, Henry County may be required to provide a local match of up to $300,000. Fukoku Korea’s approximately $4 million purchase of the former Schock building is expected to help cover the increased local matching requirement, positioning the County to pursue the maximum available EDA funding.
In other matters, the Board:
- Approved the Items of Consent.
- Received updates from the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA and the Piedmont Adult
Recovery Court. - Approved an additional appropriation of $40,643 received from the Virginia Department of
Motor Vehicles for speed enforcement and occupant safety by the Sheriff’s Office. - Approved an additional appropriation of $584,034 received from the Commonwealth’s Aid to
Localities funding for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 to purchase a fire truck for Bassett Fire
Department. - Approved an additional appropriation of $3,437.94 received through the Virginia State Police
H.E.A.T. program for the purchase of digital forensics equipment. - Appointed Brandon Martin to the Community Policy and Management Team as the agency
representative for Henry County.
