Greenwood and Leflore County have their first recycling coordinator.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Monday to hire Hart Henson for the new $35,000-per-year position.
A Greenwood native, Henson lived in Jackson and Charleston, S.C., before moving back here about four years ago. She said she’s been recycling since returning but that has required trips to Jackson or Oxford.
“I’m just excited that Greenwood is getting on the recycling bandwagon, and whatever I can do to help, I’m here,” she told supervisors.
Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams recommended Henson to the board, and the city and county will split the employment costs.
Eventually the recycling program should be self-sufficient, but that will take several years, County Administrator Sam Abraham said.
McAdams said the recycling coordinator will be a “one-man show.” Henson will be responsible for running the recycling plant, budgeting, navigating the grant process, coordinating day-to-day pickup and speaking to schools, merchants and civic clubs.
“We feel like we have a great person,” the mayor said. “She’s passionate about recycling. She certainly has the credentials behind the recycling aspect.”
McAdams said five candidates applied for the job — three from outside Greenwood and two from in town. The mayor and Regina Rich, the city’s human resources director, conducted the interviews.
When the position came open, Henson said she toured the Oxford recycling facility to ensure she was capable of doing the job and to gain knowledge of what will be expected.
With the help of grants, Greenwood and Leflore County have already spent $100,000 to get the recycling program off the ground.
The city and county both received $25,000 grants that required $25,000 matches.
Thomas Gregory, the city’s chief administrator officer, said the money has been used to buy equipment and to repair the recycling center’s building. It will be housed in the former National Picture and Frame warehouse and office at 1500 Commerce St.
A $30,000 baler, which compacts recycled commodities in preparation for resale, has been purchased.
The local governments intend to apply for more grants, and Henson’s salary can be used to match those future grants, Gregory said.
McAdams said the facility will be up and running in a few months. It will initially accept newspaper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, No. 1 and No. 2 plastics and steel and aluminum cans, Henson said. She said other items may be added later.
Supervisor Robert Moore requested that Henson return with an update on the program once it gets started.
• Contact Charlie Smith at csmith@gwcommonwealth.com.
