A new public safety campus on the northern end of Henry County is one step closer to reality after the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a $3.941 million bid to construct it.

  The vote came at the board’s September 15 regular meeting, assigning the project to J.R. Bowman Construction Co., Inc. of McDonough. The complex will include a police precinct and Fire Station No. 6, all of which will be paid for by the county’s special-purpose local option sales tax, according to a presentation at the meeting by SPLOST manager Lynn Planchon.

  Commissioner Bruce Holmes, in whose district the site is located, was understandably enthusiastic about the board’s support for the project.

  Henry County District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes shared his excitement and lauded the Board’s support for the project.

“I’m so excited that the board approved Fairview’s new public safety campus. Early in my term, I fought to bring the first police station to the Fairview community which has had a very positive impact in reducing crime in North Henry County,” said Holmes. “Additionally, in 2013 we sought to improve Station #6 and work conditions for our firefighters, however, fell short on funding as the cost of construction materials and labor increased.”

  Holmes said that SPLOST V gave the county a renewed opportunity to get this project right and gave thanks to the citizens of Henry County.

“This program has been a blessing providing our public safety community first class accommodations so they can concentrate on what they do best—protecting and serving Henry County citizens. The location of these state-of-the-art facilities will improve response times for both police and fire. The visibility along Fairview and Panola roads will provide a greater sense of security for local residents,” said Holmes.

  “As we move in a direction of creating a viable commercial corridor, the newly created government public safety employment hub along with the Nidus / Piedmont Healthcare expansion into the Fairview Commercial Corridor adds further value and provides significant incentive helping to attract more quality of life commercial establishments to our growing health and wellness community.”