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Posted On: March 19, 2024

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 6:00 PM-7:30 PM The Franklin Center 50 Claiborne Avenue Rocky Mount, VA, 24151 Join the Greater Roanoke & NRV SBDC for an exclusive, live, in-person workshop that promises to transform the way you engage with…


Posted On: March 12, 2024

The Greater Roanoke and NRV SBDC recently shared an opportunity for investors who inject capital into small businesses in Virginia to receive cash returns on those investments of up to $50,000. Eligible investors include business owners who invest in their own business. This program, The Small Business Investment Grant Fund,…


Posted On: February 19, 2024

FERRUM, VA, February 19, 2024 – On Thursday, February 15, Ferrum College hosted over 85 employers in Franklin Halls’ Blue Ridge Mountain Room, Atrium and Panther’s Den for the Career Development Office’s 2024 Job and Internship Showcase. The event was an opportunity for businesses to meet with students about internship…


Posted On: February 14, 2024

Company name: Willard Insurance Agency Person in charge: Larry Willard Year founded: 2001 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: We are a family owned and operated independent insurance agency. We offer an assortment of products from a variety…


Posted On: February 14, 2024

Company name: Just Perform Training DBA Just Perform Barbell  Person in charge: Nicholas Young Year founded: 2020 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: Just Perform Training started off as a personal training business, but has now expanded into…

Posted On: February 14, 2024

Company name: The Magnolia Closet Person in charge: Alexandra & Sara Gill (Founders & Owners) Year founded: 2023 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: We are a high-end liquidation outlet, specializing in new with tag men’s and…


Posted On: February 14, 2024

The Franklin County Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with The Franklin Center, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Carilion, Ferrum College and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), is proud to announce the introduction of the first and only Paramedic Registered Apprenticeship Program…


Posted On: February 12, 2024

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 6:00 PM-8:30 PM The Franklin Center 50 Claiborne Avenue Rocky Mount, VA, 24151 This workshop is hosted by the Greater Roanoke & NRV SBDC and available to businesses located within Franklin County and the towns of…


Posted On: January 22, 2024

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors recently welcomed two new Board members and chose chairman and vice chairman for the 2024 year. Boone District representative Ronnie Thompson was chosen as chairman and Blue Ridge District representative Tim Tatum was named vice chairman. New members of the Board of Supervisors are…


Posted On: January 19, 2024

Superior Retreading Service has reached a monumental milestone in the business world by recently commemorating its 60th year of operation. As we help celebrate this occasion, let’s take a closer look at what sets this family owned business apart and learn more about the three generations who have dedicated themselves…

Posted On: January 17, 2024

Franklin County residents, Tyler Carter, community reinvestment administrator for Carter Bank & Trust and Tyler Lee, private banking officer for Ridge View Bank have been selected as Get2KnowNoke talent ambassadors.


Posted On: December 17, 2023

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) has awarded the Dogwood site at Summit View Business Park with the coveted tier 4 designation, verifying it an ideal location for businesses to establish themselves. This recognition confirms that the Dogwood site provides a distinct advantage for businesses that want…


Posted On: December 17, 2023

For the last 10 years, Carilion has celebrated the holiday season with its Lights of Love Program. For the first time, that program has expanded to Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital (CFMH). With a donation of $10, you can pay tribute to a loved one with a commemorative ornament hung on…


Posted On: December 17, 2023

Photo Credit: Mindful Light Photography Photo Studio Rocky Mount Virginia Company name: Hourglass Yoga  Person in charge: Nicole Perry  Year founded: 2020 – I started teaching online before opening the studio in Rocky Mount in April 2023.  Tell us about your business, including the products or services that…


Posted On: December 16, 2023

Steven Sandy, assistant county administrator was recently reappointed to the Broadband Advisory Council by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Broadband Authority Council advises the Governor on policy and funding priorities to expedite deployment and reduce cost of broadband access in the Commonwealth. The council is comprised of 17 members; seven…

Posted On: December 14, 2023

New Anthem duplex doubles down on innovation, affordability and investment returns Cavco Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVCO) (“Cavco” or the “Company”) is proud to announce a significant innovation in the manufactured home industry with the launch of the first nationally available, manufactured duplex approved by the Department of Housing and Urban…


Posted On: October 11, 2023

Farming in Franklin County is not merely an occupation; it’s a force that bolsters the local job market, strengthens the overall economy, and upholds cherished community values. With over 160,000 acres of farmland, constituting an impressive 38% of the county’s total acreage, Franklin County boasts a rich variety of agriculture…


Posted On: September 26, 2023

For 49 years, thousands of locals and tourists alike have gathered on the fourth Saturday of October at Ferrum College to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the region. This year marks the 50th annual Folklife Festival, produced by the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum (BRIM)…


Posted On: September 20, 2023

Photo Caption: L to R: Ferrum College Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly, Ronald Dickerson, Jonathan Martinez, Bralynn Beamesderfer, Morgan McCrary, Elizabeth Austin, Lane Hodges, Kolby Stinson, Franklin County faculty Charles White, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jason Powell, Darrius Mandy, Ferrum College President Mirta Martin, and Administrator…


Posted On: September 17, 2023

Community Resource Officer Ryan King spends his days building relationships. Officer King started his law enforcement career in 2008 as a police officer at the Ferrum College Police Department before going on to work for both state and local agencies in Franklin County and Roanoke.  He brings his experience and…

Posted On: September 7, 2023

Justin Muse is an enthusiastic, lifelong resident of Franklin County, VA. He’s a proud graduate of Ferrum College class of 2005 where he majored in sports management with an emphasis in journalism and sports information. Justin went on to earn his master’s in human services in executive leadership from Liberty…


Posted On: August 13, 2023

Franklin County Economic Development earned a “Best Social Media Campaign” award for their ongoing series, Franklin County Shines at the Celebrate Tourism Summit on Aug. 1. Tourism professionals representing communities across Southwest Virginia gathered for the fourth annual event at the Wytheville Meeting Center. During the event, Friends of…


Posted On: July 16, 2023

Pictured clockwise: Nick Jones (plant manager), Gabrielle Mullins (intern), Hunter Dillon (intern), and Jordan Jefferson (intern). Cornerstone Building Brands is excited to have three talented interns spending the summer with us in Rocky Mount. Gabrielle “Gabby” Mullins is a Longwood University sophomore majoring in psychology with minors in business administration and…


Posted On: July 12, 2023

Franklin County native Joanna Gruver knows a thing or two about items that sparkle and shine. While she’s traveled all over the world, the professional jeweler has lived and worked in Franklin County for over 34 years and wouldn’t have it any other way! Joanna is a graduate of Franklin…


Posted On: July 5, 2023

If you’ve been to the Rocky Mount Farmers Market, you may have wondered if you were seeing double. In one sense, you could be right! Identical twins Brice and Cowan Montgomery are regular vendors there selling eggs, produce, and plants they raised on their farm, Montgomery Serenity Farm, LLC.

Posted On: June 26, 2023

Dairy is big business in the Virginia economy. It’s the fifth largest farm commodity in the Commonwealth and Franklin County is in the top five milk-producing counties! Rural is different in Franklin County and it’s easy to see why. The work that happens here makes a big impact on…


Posted On: June 26, 2023

Olivia Karavatakis grew up on the water at Smith Mountain Lake, reveling in the natural beauty of Franklin County. Maybe that’s where her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly practices began! Her education took her to East Tennessee State University, where she majored in construction management. She honed her skill…


Posted On: June 11, 2023

FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL HOST UPCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY PRESENTATION In recent months the Franklin County Office of Economic Development has been working towards the conception of its inaugural Strategic Plan for the department to use as a proposed roadmap for the future of economic development…


Posted On: May 9, 2023

Benjamin Franklin Middle School math teacher Jennifer Hatch is a 26-year veteran educator with some impressive credentials. In 2015 she was awarded the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year award. And in 2022-2023 she garnered recognition from all over the state for her creative use…


Posted On: March 28, 2023

Liz and Cricker Brooks are a husband-and-wife team who founded and operate Wild Hare Farm in Ferrum, VA. They are first-generation farmers who grow certified organic vegetables for Franklin County and beyond. Their business grew out of a desire to, “work together, a love of the outdoors, good food, and…

Posted On: March 23, 2023

Franklin County’s Office of Economic Development is working with the community to develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Plan will identify short and long-range recommendations to promote balanced growth, enhance quality of life for residents, and enrich the future marketability of Franklin County as a place to live,…


Posted On: March 5, 2023

Franklin County’s Office of Economic Development is working with the community to develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Plan will identify short and long-range recommendations to promote balanced growth, enhance quality of life for residents, and enrich the future marketability of Franklin County as a place to live,…


Posted On: February 1, 2023

You may know Kelsey Hairston by another name: the Cake Lady. Kelsey has been baking cakes since middle school. By the time she was in high school, she owned a full-fledged baking business. Now, she owns and operates her Rocky Mount based Cakes by Kelsey, LLC where she fulfills custom…


Posted On: January 24, 2023

Locals know that in Franklin County you don’t have to choose between lake life and mountain views because at Smith Mountain Lake, you can have the best of both. And the world is starting to take notice. One of the world’s top travel media brands, Travel + Leisure recently named Smith…


Posted On: January 16, 2023

The Franklin County Office of Economic Development has announced the creation of their new online job board. The user-friendly job board crawls the web to gather and display all job openings in Franklin County, making it even easier for current and prospective residents to find their next career opportunity.

Posted On: December 18, 2022

On a typical workday, you might find Rex Norris juggling ticket orders, or chatting with patrons. On a typical work night, you’re likely to find him shaking hands with the likes of Lee Ann Womack, Melissa Etheridge, or Victor Wooten before slipping into the audience to listen to the…


Posted On: December 12, 2022

Franklin County natives Carol and Lucas Tuning are renowned around the county for their beautiful landscaping and outstanding holiday light display. These high school sweethearts spent time away before settling back down in Franklin County in 2001.   When they’re not working in their rewarding non-profit and community service…


Posted On: December 11, 2022

The biotechnology business is booming in Franklin County and the surrounding region. Southwest Virginia is fast being recognized around the Commonwealth as a hub for biotechnology innovation. In fact, new laboratories are under construction in Blacksburg and Roanoke to accommodate a growing number of biotechnology startups headquartered in the…


Posted On: November 10, 2022

It’s no secret that Virginia is a great East Coast business location. Centrally located on the East Coast, Virginia provides access to ports, rail, air travel and proximity to at least 8 major U.S. metro areas. However, not all Virginia locations are created equally when it comes to business taxes.


Posted On: November 10, 2022

Thad and Gayle Montgomery are the husband-and-wife team behind Double M Dairy in Wirtz. They each represent the sixth generation of dairy farmers and are raising a 7th in their six children. They recently opened Melvin’s Farm to Fork Store on their farm, where you can buy locally sourced foods…

Posted On: October 10, 2022

September is Virginia Wine Month and H.T. Page is ready to celebrate. A native of Nelson County, VA, H.T. and his wife Rhonda moved to Franklin County over 30 years ago where they built a life and raised a family. In 2008, H.T. and Rhonda founded Brooks…


Posted On: September 12, 2022

Anna Prillaman Robertson is a Franklin County native, who recently returned to run the family business (Twin Creeks Distillery) that her Dad, Chris Prillaman founded back in 2014. Though she’s always been involved, she now works full-time at the distillery, primarily handling business logistics, marketing components, and business communications.


Posted On: August 2, 2022

The Virginia Tourism Corporation will be holding a Zoom Information Session for Franklin County Businesses on Wednesday, August 3rd at 2:00 PM in regards to the new “(VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program”. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from Staci Martin, VTC Grant Manager, and  Becky Nave, Senior Destination Development…


Posted On: June 19, 2022

Amy Minnix is thrilled to have returned home. The Franklin County native and Ferrum College alum recently joined Franklin County’s Economic Development Team as the Economic Development Specialist.  Amy began her career with The Willard Companies in Hardy, VA, where she spent 12 years before relocating to Florida. Comfortable…


Posted On: May 22, 2022

Matthew Woods grew up in Franklin County and attended Ferrum College for his undergraduate degree.  You might know him as the host of a K-12 podcast, “Leading Out The Woods,” and is the author of the children’s book series, “I Wanna Be…”.   He has a Ph.D. from Radford…

Posted On: May 22, 2022

Rob Leonard is the director of The Build Smart Institute, an educational organization that trains individuals for work in the construction industry. Rob and his wife grew up in Philadelphia and lived in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida before settling in Franklin County, VA where they have stayed and raised…


Posted On: May 22, 2022

Franklin County swept the “Best of Virginia 2022” awards season! While we couldn’t be prouder, it’s no surprise to any Franklin County local. We all know Franklin County is a gem. From beautiful outdoor spaces to fantastic cultural events, Franklin County shines. Results from the statewide …


Posted On: May 11, 2022

Franklin County Director of Economic Development Beth Simms is on a mission to ensure that you know all the ways this area shines.  Bright spots in business. Bright spots in livability. Bright ideas that will propel this area forward.  In honor of Economic Development Week – May 9-13, 2022 –…


Posted On: May 3, 2022

Tim Daniels and Alley Brundage made their way to Franklin County, VA over half a decade ago and found it to be one of the best places to live and raise a family. Alley came to Franklin County from Kentucky by way of Chicago and is the store manager and buyer for…