The duties and powers of the Henry County Development Authority are spelled out in the original Constitutional amendment and six subsequent legislative amendments. The purpose of the Authority, as stated within the enabling legislation, is “. . . promoting and expanding for the public good and welfare industry and trade within Henry County and reducing unemployment to the greatest extent possible. . . .” The Henry County Development Authority receives the majority of its operating budget directly from the Board of Commissioners, although the Authority also receives income derived from fees associated with the issuance of Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs), the sale of Authority-owned property, and revenue from investments. The books and records of the Authority are audited annually by an independent auditor.
The Henry County Development Authority consists of five members, representing the five geographic commissioner districts, and its members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Henry County. All members of the authority must be citizens of the United States, at least twenty-one years of age, and must have been residents of the state for at least two years and a resident of Henry County for one year. Appointees to the Authority must also be a resident of the District from which they are appointed.
The members are appointed for four-year terms that match the terms of their respective commissioner, and are eligible for reappointment if otherwise qualified. The officers of the Authority -- chairman, vice chairman and secretary/treasurer -- are elected at the first meeting of the Authority each year in January. The Authority meets the first Thursday of each month at the Authority offices at 124 Westridge Industrial Boulevard in McDonough.