Franklin County News

Company name: Savvy Promos LLC Person in charge: Julia Darling, Owner- Business owner for 21 years Year founded: 2016 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: The Savvy Promos design team excels at brand promotion and name identification.  From…

Karli Foster brings experience back to Franklin County Karli Foster has been named the new Business Retention & Expansion and Workforce Manager for Franklin County. Foster comes from Roanoke County, where she served as an Economic Development Specialist. In her role in Roanoke County, Foster led marketing efforts, established…

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…

Company name: Gracefully Rooted Person in charge: Erica Austin Year founded: 2024 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: Gracefully Rooted is a premier hair and tanning salon located in the heart of Ferrum, conveniently situated just across the…

Cavco Industries, Inc. recently made a returned trip to Washington D.C. to participate in the 2024 Innovative Housing Showcase. On display in 2024 is the Blue Ridge, a single-level duplex home with a total of 1,085 square feet and part of the Anthem duplex series. The Anthem…

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…

Company name: The Depot | Merle Norman Person in charge: Madeline Perdue Year founded: November 19, 2022 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: The Depot Merle Norman is a small retail, makeup business located right in the…

Company name: Franklin Glass Person in charge: Craig Brosinski, Owner | Brandi Stull, General Manager Year founded: 1986 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: Franklin Glass provides superior quality craftsmanship using state of the art glass fabricating machinery.

Danielle Poe has been named director of economic development for Franklin County. She has been assistant director of economic development in Roanoke County since 2022 where she has been responsible for real estate development, business retention and expansion, and key community partnerships. Before joining Roanoke County, she was…

Company name: Mama Sarah’s Person in charge: Barbara Hickman and Brad Wood Year founded: 2023 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: What makes us unique, I would have to say it’s the fact that all our food is…

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…

Company name: Boones Mill Mercantile Person in charge: Mike and Karen Meredith Year founded: 2023 Tell us about your business, including the products or services that you offer and what makes you unique: Boones Mill has a fascinating history. We have a local historian, Mike Smith, who created a…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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)…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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 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 …

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…