White County Executive Q3 Candidate Responses

The Main Street Journal – Sparta has been listening to the community. Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Executive candidates.

Here is your third question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

There is a department within the White County Government titled, " Industrial Development". It appears to fall under the County Executive for direction and management. However, when a question has been asked about its purpose or meeting dates, only vague responses have been provided.

a) Assuming that the purpose of this department is to attract industrial business to the County, what will you, as County Executive do to draw Industry into our area?

b) What type of infrastructure improvements must be added/improved upon to attract new businesses to White County (such as additional cell towers, adding fire hydrants, improved on/off highway access, etc.)?

DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON: When first elected in 2014, White County was a economically distressed county; industry was closing or leaving; and we were being told to either close the landfill or the state would at a cost of millions to taxpayers in White County.

We rolled up our sleeves and recruited new industry, worked through the state Dept. of Economic Development securing millions in grants to assist in attracting industry and securing needed jobs. Today there are more people working in White County than ever before. In fact, employers are telling me they need more workers. We worked with state officials to find a way to shift the burden of the landfill to professionals who will remediate problems and permit additional space to provide revenue to the county and needed disposal space well into the future. We've turned a huge liability into an asset for existing households and industry, as well as those looking to relocate.

KYLE GOFF: To attract industry, we have to be intentional and identify the right types of businesses that fit our strengths and needs. It means building relationships with state partners, site selectors, and regional resources. Companies won’t come where infrastructure isn’t ready so we must invest in site readiness—water, sewer, gas, and fire protection, along with strong broadband and highway access. One thing not to lose site of, is to be strong partners for businesses already here. A simple rule would be, take care of what you have first.

PENNY WHALEY: As White County executive, I would work closely with the highway dept as well as TDOT to improve access to business from highways. I would promote additional cell towers for high-tech digital access for all businesses. I also would work with local and county fire departments to add additional fire hydrants for business and industry.

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