Henry County development chief spotlights workforce and growth strategy

Sharon K. K. Hill, executive director of the Henry County Development Authority, is being highlighted for her work on business retention, workforce development and economic growth in Georgia’s Henry County. Her career spans broadcasting, human resources and local economic development, and she says community buy-in is essential to showing why the field matters.

Why it matters: - Henry County’s economic strategy affects job growth, business investment and the local tax base. - Industries in Henry County account for roughly 12% to 13% of the county’s tax base, helping offset property taxes and fund public services and infrastructure. - Sharon K. K. Hill’s role puts her at the center of efforts to keep existing employers in place while attracting new investment.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Sharon K. K. Hill, the executive director of the Henry County Development Authority in McDonough, Georgia. - Hill leads efforts tied to economic growth, business retention, workforce development and strategic partnerships across Henry County. - Hill joined the Henry County Development Authority in 2022 as established industry manager. - Hill was appointed executive director in 2025. - The profile highlights Hill’s career path from broadcasting to human resources and then into economic development.

The details: - Hill began working at a gospel radio station while still in high school. - She later worked in mainstream radio and television, building communication skills that she still uses to explain economic development to residents and stakeholders. - Hill later moved into human resources and served as an HR director. - Her HR background gave her experience in organizational leadership, employee relations, performance management and talent development. - Hill earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. - Hill is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Southern Economic Development Council and the International Economic Development Council. - Hill says her success rests on lifelong learning, clear communication, respect, kindness and honesty. - Hill keeps commitments and favors direct communication when difficult news must be shared.

Between the lines: - Hill’s path suggests economic development leaders can benefit from skills that are not traditionally tied to the field, especially public communication and people management. - Her broadcasting background likely helps her translate technical economic concepts into plain language for the public. - Hill sees public understanding as one of the field’s biggest challenges, which is why the authority uses its website, Facebook and LinkedIn to share success stories and increase transparency. - The profile also frames economic development as a public education issue, not just a business recruitment function.

What’s next: - Hill says the Henry County Development Authority will keep using digital channels to explain its work and build public support. - The authority will continue focusing on business retention, workforce development and attracting new investment. - Hill says emerging leaders should prepare for opportunities they cannot yet see and stay resilient when setbacks come.

The bottom line: - Hill’s leadership in Henry County rests on a mix of communication, workforce insight and economic development strategy, with the goal of making the county more competitive and prosperous for residents and employers. - More information is available through Hill’s Influential Women profile.