The new year will bring more growth for businesses and residents in Henderson County, more road construction and the start of significant work on Hendersonville High.

2020 will also see new faces at the helm of local and state governments, after several incumbents decided not to file for re-election.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest story lines headed into the new year for our region:

I-26 project takes hold

The first of many years of construction begins as the N.C. Department of Transportation works to widen I-26 from Asheville to Hendersonville.

Work began in October and the project is expected to be complete in 2024.

The widening will increase I-26 from four lanes to eight lanes from the Brevard Road interchange to the Fletcher/Mountain Home interchange at U.S. 25. The remaining portion between that interchange and the Four Seasons Boulevard interchange will be increased from four to six lanes.

The Henderson County portion of the project will begin with the construction of eight bridges, five of which are overpasses. The U.S. 25/Asheville Highway interchange will be changed to a diverging diamond similar to the Airport Road interchange.

Demolition and construction begins at HHS

Perhaps the most disruptive phase of the Hendersonville High project will take place throughout 2020. The entire project, which involves a combination of renovation and new construction, is expected to be complete by August 2023.

The first phase, from January 2020 to June 2020, will include demolition of the cafeteria and band room to make way for the new classroom building. Classes will take place in the vocational and Stillwell buildings and the school will still have access to both gyms, according to the architect.

From June 2020 to June 2021, the auxiliary gym will be demolished as renovations to the 1974 gym and construction of classroom building take place. This means that for the 2020-21 school year, HHS will not have access to an on-campus gym.

Seventh Avenue District revitalization

A slate of major projects is coming to the Seventh Avenue area. That includes the streetscape improvement project to install sidewalks, plantings, improved utilities and other upgrades.

The goal is to replicate similar improvements to Main Street while preserving the historic corridor’s identity.

Construction of a headquarters for the Hendersonville Police Department will take place throughout the year on Ashe Street. It’s expected that the new facility will be complete in 2021.

New faces in 2020 elections

While the presidential election is sure to dominate most of the conversation in 2020, there are plenty of interesting races at the local and state levels as well. The election is also guaranteed to bring in new faces, as several incumbents did not file for re-election.

Notable races include U.S. House District 11, N.C. Senate District 48, N.C. House District 113 and 117, two spots on the Henderson County Board of Commissioners and four spots on the Henderson County School Board.

Congressman Mark Meadows, N.C. Rep. Chuck McGrady, Commissioner Grady Hawkins and School Board members Mary Louise Corn and Rick Wood did not file for re-election.

The primary in North Carolina takes place March 3, with the General Election on Nov. 3.

BrightFarms to begin construction, hiring

A $21-million investment and the creation of 54 jobs is coming to Etowah in 2020 through BrightFarms, a packaged salads company.

BrightFarms grows leafy salad greens and herbs including spring mix, spinach, baby kale, romaine and arugula with a sustainable focus. The local greens will be grown in an indoor environment without the use of pesticides.

Construction is slated to begin in January, with the seeding of the first crop before the end of 2020.

Hiring should begin in late summer.

The Riveter opening in Mills River

A new kind of fitness facility, the Riveter, is set to open this February in Mills River.

Located near Sierra Nevada Brewery and Asheville Regional Airport, the 40,000-square-foot facility will be perched above a 10-acre working farm leading down to the French Broad River.

The Riveter will include more than 16,000 square feet of climbing terrain, more than 18,000 square feet of progressive jumping lines, drop training, a yoga studio, spin studio, community space, retail store and more.