Franklin County Shines

Homestead Creamery to expand processing capacity, purchase nearly $1.9 million in Virginia-produced cream RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that Homestead Creamery Inc. will invest over $2.5 million to renovate and expand their Franklin County production facility. The company will construct a new ice cream production room…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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)…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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 –…

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…