Shaping Our Future
What is Community Visioning in Martinsville-Henry County?
- A community engagement and strategic planning initiative in Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) led in partnership with The Harvest Foundation.
- An inclusive community planning process bringing together residents, businesses, nonprofits, youth, and government.
- A collaborative effort focused on equity, economic opportunity, education, health, and community vitality.
- A roadmap for sustainable community development and rural development in VA, designed to address MHC’s most pressing needs and build a path to long-term success.
- A long-term strategic plan that helps guide future Harvest Foundation investments.
Why Community Visioning?
The Harvest Foundation wants to ensure that the community’s voices are heard and included in shaping the future of Martinsville-Henry County. This process will help create a clear plan for how we can best use resources to meet local residents’ needs.
Purpose
Our goal is to create a shared plan that reflects what matters most to the people in MHC. We want to focus on opportunities that will benefit everyone in the area, addressing important needs and creating a future that everyone can be part of.
What do we hope to achieve?
We’re working to create a plan for today and for the future, based on what the community needs and wants. This plan will guide how we invest in our community and make sure those investments bring real, measurable improvements for everyone.
Meet the Community Visioning Team
This initiative is driven by a dedicated team of local leaders and professionals, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. Here’s a look at the key partners involved:
YOU
This vision will be shaped by your voice. As our engagement efforts ramp up, we want to hear from you — whether through events, surveys, or one-on-one conversations.
THE HARVEST FOUNDATION
A catalyst for community-driven change in MHC. Working with the local community, we align our efforts with regional goals to create a sustainable and equitable future.
A minority- and veteran-owned consultancy focused on transportation, health, housing, climate, and equity. Our community engagement approach is rooted in lived experiences, ensuring the voices of MHC residents are central to the planning process.
Local leaders representing diverse sectors, including public health, education, small business development, housing, and more. This group ensures that every phase of the project reflects community perspectives and lived experiences.
COMMUNITY LIAISONS
Trusted local residents who help elevate their neighbors’ voices. Liaisons engage the community, gather feedback, and keep everyone informed on the project’s progress.
This is a vision built by the people of MHC, for the people of MHC.
Our Community Visioning Team is composed of dedicated individuals working together to guide the visioning process for the future of Martinsville-Henry County. This team brings diverse perspectives, expertise, and a shared commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.
Meet the Community Visioning Committee
I see an amazing community that can work together to make a unique and bright future!
I am hopeful this process will create a unified goal of what MHC will become for our next generation.
I’m a deep believer that a strong sense of community pride and purpose makes a town, city, or county a better, happier place to live.
Growing up in a family business that has served MHC for 25 years inspired me to help build a future where more voices are heard and everyone has a role.
My desire is to see the community working in a collective effort to envision our future exceptionally.
I want to strengthen our community by improving housing, transportation, infrastructure, tourism, and opportunities for youth and families.
As a lifelong resident, I want to help shape a vision that moves our community from potential to progress.
I want MHC to be a place where my friends choose to stay, return to, and raise their families.
I am part of Our MHC because of its quiet strength – woven from history, hills, and hometown pride.
I’d like to see Our MHC result in stronger access to resources for families, more opportunities for youth, and continued growth in a way that benefits everyone.
I want to see this process help create a community that local residents are proud to be a part of.
I believe our town is at a pivotal moment when defining who we are can lead to real flourishing.
I’m hopeful this process truly reflects the voices of our community and helps ensure everyone’s stories, experiences, and aspirations are part of the vision for our future.
I want genuine engagement from every part of the community so we can build shared ownership of the plan and our future.
I want a better future for our area.
I’m hopeful for long-term, sustainable growth that improves quality of life for everyone in our community.
I want to make sure we leave our community in much better condition for future generations to come.
I was born and raised in MHC, and now I’m proud to be raising my own family here. I want to see our community come together around a shared vision.
I would love to see a vision where young people see opportunity, feel supported, and want to build their futures here.
I want to make a meaningful impact by helping MHC build a bold vision that brings out the very best of our community and its future.
Meet the Community Visioning Liaisons
Julia Hollandsworth
Julia brings a deep commitment to Martinsville-Henry County and the people who call it home. With a background in community engagement and nonprofit work, she is passionate about bringing people together, listening to diverse perspectives, and turning community voices into meaningful action. As a community liaison, Julia is dedicated to fostering connection, building trust, and ensuring residents across the region have a voice in shaping a shared future.
When she’s showing off MHC to visitors, you can likely find her keeping it simple and local—grabbing a Friday sub sandwich and enjoying the community she cares so much about.
Christopher Janey
Christopher brings a renewed perspective and deep appreciation for Martinsville-Henry County. After growing up in Bassett and spending time away, he returned home with a fresh lens and a strong belief in the community’s potential. Christopher is inspired by the endless possibilities MHC holds and is committed to working with others to move the region forward.
When showing off the area, Christopher would take visitors to the Virginia Museum of Natural History, a place that highlights the rich history and curiosity that make the community unique.
Jordan Menefee
A lifelong Martinsville resident, Jordan brings both perspective and passion to her work in the community. After attending college at Virginia Commonwealth University, she chose to return home with a vision for what Martinsville-Henry County can become. Having seen the community through times of growth and challenge, Jordan is motivated to help build it back stronger—supporting efforts that spark opportunity and inspire a shared sense of progress.
For visitors, Jordan recommends a stop at Uptown Pinball—a fun, nostalgic spot that captures the unique charm and energy of the community.
Kim Mason Reynolds
Kim is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring every voice in Martinsville-Henry County is heard. She recognizes that many in the community are balancing work, school, caregiving, and more, leaving little time to attend meetings. Kim helps bridge that gap by connecting with residents where they are, bringing their perspectives forward to help shape a more inclusive and responsive future for MHC.
If you’re visiting the area, Kim would introduce you to the excitement of the local race track, Martinsville Speedway, and the laid-back fun of tubing on the river—two experiences that showcase both the energy and natural beauty of the community.
Kenlee Hylton
A lifelong Martinsville–Henry County resident, Kenlee brings both lived experience and a deep commitment to giving back. Having once been on the receiving end of community support, she now holds an MBA and is passionate about pouring that same investment into others. As a community liaison, Kenlee is dedicated to strengthening connections, uplifting voices, and building on the work she already leads in the community.
If you’re new to MHC, Kenlee would point you to the beauty of the local lakes and a stop at Scuffle Hill Brewing Company—two places that capture the spirit and charm of the region.
What Are We Up To?
How Can You Get Involved?
Participate in our community visioning process because your voice matters in shaping the future of Martinsville-Henry County. There are many ways to get involved in the community:
Attend local events
Fill out polls
Contribute ideas and feedback
READ Harvest Foundation’s newsletter
There will be more ways to get involved as we move forward, so check back regularly for updates and opportunities for community participation!
What's Our Progress So Far?
Community Visioning Updates
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the community visioning process.
January 2026
February 2026
- Community Visioning Committee (CVC) begins to form.
- Applications for community liaisons are launched.
March 2026
- First virtual meeting of the CVC
- First in-person meeting of the CVC
- Naming of the project
- Creation of a project logo
April 2026
- Project logo finalized
- Project tagline selected
- Community Liaisons began work