Jonathan Hensley, Mayor, Town of Goldston

In an interview with Invest:, Goldston Mayor Jonathan Hensley discussed long-term growth, infrastructure planning, and the importance of preserving Goldston’s small-town identity while preparing for new investment. “You cannot stop growth. You have to manage it. I look at growth like a river. You can direct the flow of water, but if you try to dam it completely, that water still has to go somewhere,” Hensley said.

What changes in or around Goldston are shaping how you think about the town’s future?

I like to think in five- and 10-year increments, rather than one year. When people ask what has been the biggest change over the past year or two, I look back at what my five-year plan was five years ago.

One of the biggest things we are focused on is water and sewer capacity. Chatham County has joined TriRiver Water, which was formerly Sanford Sewer and Water. Goldston has received water from Sanford since day one, but we are not technically part of TriRiver. We are in negotiations and having early conversations about joining. The goal is to make the process easier for the development and growth that may be coming in five to 10 years. 

As interest in smaller communities increases, what type of growth is Goldston trying to attract?

I own a restaurant in town, and I joke that my restaurant is my office because I am there all the time. People can come by, sit down, and have a conversation with me. The consensus is that we want growth that helps us keep our small-town feel. I have always described Goldston as a Hallmark community, with small boutiques, coffee shops, stores, and bakeries. You also have to balance commercial and industrial growth with residential growth.

We have a plan for where commercial and industrial development should go because that brings in higher tax revenue, which we need. Our residential plan is to keep housing closer to the historic downtown area. You need to have a balance between commercial and industrial development and the coffee shops, bakeries, and boutiques to keep that small-town Southern charm.

People are looking for quieter, slower-paced living instead of high-paced city life. They want to raise their families somewhere with land, where they know their neighbors, and their kids can play outside.

What infrastructure or service investments are needed to support growth?

In addition to water and sewer, we are planning to hire a town manager within the next five years. Right now, we do not have any town employees. We do not have town workers to handle landscaping, maintenance, or other services that larger municipalities have.

We contract out almost everything, and the commissioners do about 90% of the work. When someone submits an application, we do the research, paperwork, and follow-up.

Hiring a town manager would be a major change and a much-needed relief for the commissioners and me. Most of us have full-time jobs outside of our public roles, so this becomes a second full-time job.

How are workforce and employment opportunities evolving for residents?

Over the past couple of years, one of my goals has been to look at how technology and careers are changing. Goldston and the surrounding area have a mix of blue-collar workers and people in work-from-home or IT-related jobs.

COVID changed the workforce. Companies realized they did not always need to spend large amounts of money on office space when employees could work from home. That made internet access a major priority. One of my big goals was to get fiber internet in town because that is a huge draw for people, especially those who work hybrid schedules.

We were able to work with the county and pursue grant opportunities, and now we have two fiber internet sources in and around town. That helps us appeal to people who want to leave the city but still work remotely. Goldston is about 45 minutes from Raleigh, so someone can live here, have strong internet, and still reach the office when needed.

We also have to focus on blue-collar work. Farming is prominent around Goldston, including chicken houses, cattle, tomatoes, and gardens. We need commercial and industrial opportunities nearby so families can stay here.

My generation was often told to go to college, get a job, move somewhere else, and make money. I think that is changing. People want their children to be able to buy a house nearby, stay close, and raise their own families here.

What lessons have you taken from the growth of nearby towns?

The massive expansion in Pittsboro, especially with Chatham Park, has been a lesson. Some residents feel the area is growing too fast and losing its small-town feel. They feel it is becoming more like Cary or Raleigh.

You cannot stop growth. You have to manage it. I look at growth like a river. You can direct the flow of water, but if you try to dam it completely, that water still has to go somewhere.

We are focused on how to grow comfortably, keep residents happy, and benefit the town. Everything costs money. If you want to buy land for a park, build recreation space, repave streets, or maintain water and sewer lines, you need revenue. You have to run a town with a business mindset.

What does success look like for Goldston over the next five to 10 years?

My five-year vision is centered on community connection. We are looking at a piece of property that adjoins our current park, and I would like to purchase it and develop a sports complex, picnic area, and open-air farmers market.

We have a lot of farmers and residents who sell homemade jellies, jams, quilts, and other goods. I want to give them a place to do that and give families somewhere to take their children, spend time outside, and connect.

That is my big goal: helping Goldston connect and rebuild the stepping stones of family growth and community connection. I would like to see small coffee shops where people can have conversations every morning, local bakeries, and more small businesses that create personal connections.

What message would you share with investors or business leaders looking at Goldston?

Goldston is geographically located about 45 minutes from everywhere. We are around 45 minutes from Raleigh, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham, and about an hour from Fayetteville.

We are looking for development that is beneficial to the town. We are open to different avenues of investment, growth, and possibility, as long as they benefit both the investor and the town and are a good fit for Goldston.

My commissioners and I are open to conversations. We want to explore opportunities that can help the town grow the right way and bring in people and businesses that want to join us and grow with us.