Thursday’s Henry County Development Authority meeting marked the end of an era when longtime

W.L. "Billy" Carter

Chairman, W.L. “Billy” Carter, announced his retirement from the Development Authority after more than 42 years of service to the organization.

Citing ongoing medical concerns, Mr. Carter, 78, of Locust Grove made his announcement at the beginning of the monthly meeting of Henry County’s lead economic development agency. “My doctors have told me that I’ve got to reduce some of my responsibilities,” he said, “so I felt this was the appropriate time to retire from the Development Authority.”

A lifelong resident of Henry County, Carter was first appointed to the Development Authority when it was formed in 1967, and he served as its first vice chairman before ascending to the chairman’s role in 1968. He has served consecutive terms since that time, and has served as chairman for most of his 42 years with the Authority.

“It has been a distinct pleasure to serve the citizens of Henry County on the Development Authority,” he said. “I’m very proud of the role that we have played in attracting new jobs and investment to Henry County,” Carter added, “and the Board that we have today is the finest with whom I have ever served.” 

A successful entrepreneur who formed his own trucking company while in his early twenties – his first major client was then McDonough-based Snapper – Carter formed Metro Auction Company in 1989, and he continues to serve as CEO of that company today.

In addition to his service on the Development Authority, Carter also served as chairman of the County’s Planning & Zoning Board for 28 years, helping to craft the County’s first Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and he presently serves on the Locust Grove City Council.

Under Mr. Carter’s leadership, the Development Authority has been a catalyst in the attraction of literally scores of new businesses to Henry County, including such prominent names as NEC Technologies, Toppan Interamerica, Ford Motor Company, Nestlé, Amazon.com, Sunglass Hut International, The Sports Authority, and Whirlpool, resulting in the creation of thousands of new jobs and more than $1 Billion in new direct capital investment in the county.

The Development Authority also played a key role in the development of Henry County’s first resident higher education facility, a 30,000 square foot Regional Academic Center for Mercer University which, today, has a student population of more than 700 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in six degree fields.

Billy Carter’s public service and leadership have been recognized for years at both the local and state levels. A Shriner for more than 50 years, Mr. Carter served as Potentate of Georgia’s Yaarab Shrine Temple. He was the first recipient of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s Public Service Award – now named for Mr. Carter – and, in 2007, he was recognized as the “Volunteer of the Year” for the state of Georgia by the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

“Billy Carter leaves a legacy of leadership and commitment that will never be equaled,” noted Jim White, of Stockbridge, who succeeds Mr. Carter as Chairman of the Development Authority. “It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve on the Authority with Billy for some 20 years,” he added. “He has been a good friend and mentor to many of us, and he will be missed.”

The Henry County Board of Commissioners will honor Mr. Carter at the January 19th Board of Commissioners meeting.