Meet the team
Beth Doughty
Interim Director of Economic Development
Beth Doughty understands how to help growing businesses succeed in Franklin County. She is an award-winning economic development expert with a track record of building consensus and demonstrating results. Named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America (Consultant Connect) three times, she has served as executive director of Roanoke Regional Partnership, president & CEO of Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, and founder of an advisory practice for economic and community development.
As interim director of economic development for Franklin County, Doughty is a liaison with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Roanoke Regional Partnership, engages with existing business, facilitates business expansions and locations, coordinates development of the Summit View Business Park, and rolls out new initiatives. “It’s about connecting businesses with the resources they need to grow and prosper,” says Doughty.
She is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia and attended the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Contact Beth to learn more about Franklin County and how you can grow in our community.
Amy Minnix
Economic Development Specialist
Amy Minnix, a Franklin County native and an alumna of Ferrum College, joined the Franklin County Office of Economic Development in 2022 as Economic Development Specialist. Amy started her career with Smith Mountain Lake local development company, The Willard Companies, where she worked primarily in the country club division for twelve years. This experience exposed Amy early in her career to commercial and residential development, zoning, planning, real estate, and business development. Amy continued her career in local and corporate business development, marketing, sales, and the private club industry while residing in Florida and North Carolina prior to returning home in 2021. Amy has completed the Georgia Tech Basic Economic Development Course and completed coursework at the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
Amy is responsible for assisting with marketing initiatives and attraction, outreach to existing and prospective businesses, and maintaining an updated and active listing of available properties within Franklin County.
