The Franklin County Office of Economic Development continues to work on a number of projects to increase the availability of jobs, attract new tax base, and raise the community’s quality of life. Several opportunities for suggested improvements to strengthen the position of Summit View Business Park (SVBP) were identified in a reverse site selection study conducted in 2023. The identified opportunities include the improvement of internal road connections for the North and South portions of SVBP and increased utility capacities.
The County has secured funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to complete the internal road connection, with utility extensions, between the northern and southern areas of SVBP. The connector road project is currently underway and will provide the final piece to the transportation system within SVBP. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
Staff has been working with representatives with Appalachian Power Company (APCo) to expand electric capacity in SVBP. This proposed expansion will be possible in partnership with APCo and VEDP under the Electric Infrastructure Serving Business Park Program. The expansion will require the development of an electric substation in SVBP. APCo has submitted a proposal option agreement that entails the development of a substation on approximately four acres of land within SVBP. The improvement will increase the electric capacity in the park by 15-25 MW, an increase that expands the scope for potential users. At the time of the reverse site selection study, numerous activities related to the SVBP infrastructure were already underway and continue to advance with the aim of enhancing SVBP’s overall ranking and marketability. This year, SVBP has experienced a rise in prospect activity, offering a valuable opportunity for further marketing efforts.
