Department of Commerce & Leisure Services

MW Manufacturers Inc. will invest $23 million to expand its Rocky Mount headquarters

McAirlaid’s Vliesstoffe GmbH & Co. KG will invest $85 million to open its first U.S. manufacturing facility and headquarters in Franklin County

(New 2-1-06)
Commuter Workforce Study
Final Report

Mod-U-Kraf Homes
Expansion Announcement

Jammin Custom Made Apparel & Accessories
Press Release

R&D Millwork Inc. & Custom Woodwork, Inc.
Press Release

Ronile, Inc.
Press Release

Being home of Smith Mountain Lake, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Philpott Reservoir, Franklin County has always been one of Virginia’s classic  vacation destinations.  Thanks to its high quality workforce, tremendous natural resources, low costs of living, and great access to the mid-Atlantic markets, Franklin County is not only a great place to vacation, but also a great place to run a successful enterprise .

The County of Franklin offers tremendous opportunities for businesses that are focused on a high quality workforce, and excellent quality of life, and a pro-business environment that empowers entrepreneurship.  The Department of Commerce and Leisure Services is available to assist businesses that seek to expand or develop new facilities in our community. 

Franklin County is committed to working in partnership with the Town of Rocky Mount, Franklin County and Smith Mountain Lake Chambers of Commerce, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Franklin County Industrial Development Authority, and the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership to build a diverse and dynamic economic base in our community.

Economic Development Principles

The citizens of Franklin County care a great deal about their community.  This is evident in the investments of time, money, and energy that our residents place into the many non-profit and community related activities that occur here during a calendar year.  The Department of Commerce and Leisure Services was created to mirror this community character.  We recognize that truly successful businesses and communities recognize the correlation between the quality of life for residents and the quality of the local economy.  The Department of Commerce and Leisure Services manages the County’s Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, and Tourism programs as we seek to expand upon our attributes to create the best community in Virginia for families and businesses.

Population Analysis

Incentives

Franklin County is committed to maintaining a competitive position regionally to recruit and retain growing businesses.  Various state and local incentive programs may be available to businesses that expand or locate in Franklin County. For more information on incentive programs that are available to businesses in our community, please contact the Department of Commerce and Leisure Services.

Site and Building Selection

The County of Franklin has a number of available industrial and commerce parks for new and expanding businesses to consider.  Almost all communities in Virginia provide industrial parks for businesses.  We recognize that successful businesses require more than land and we are committed to connecting our parks with facilities and resources that will make your business successful. Information on these parks and sites is available online using the keys to the left (Coming soon). 

• Franklin County Commerce Park
  Only 25 minutes south of Roanoke, this new park of approximately 260 acres offers direct access to US 220.  The park lies adjacent to a public golf course.
   

• West Franklin Business Park
  Located in the western part of the county in the Ferrum Village, this park offers 56 level acres adjacent to Ferrum College.  The park is minutes from Philpott Reservoir and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
   

• Franklin County/Rocky Mount Industrial Park
  This park has 19 acres available for development with excellent access to US 220 and services in the Town of Rocky Mount.
   

• Rocky Mount Technology Park
  A new park focused on recruiting businesses that value access to fiber and state-of-the-art telecommunications.  The park is home to the Franklin County YMCA and provides direct access to over five miles of trails in a state wildlife preserve.

Education

Successful businesses require that employees be highly educated and possess a commitment to learning.  Virginia is well regarded nationally for its commitment to quality education for all of its citizens.  Franklin County Schools consistently outperform the Virginia standards for learning across all age groups.  Our primary schools focus on retaining small class sizes for more individual student attention.  Our secondary schools feature some of the most unique and dynamic career exploration training found anywhere in the United States at the CATCE Center. 

After high school, students have the opportunity to continue their education at Ferrum College  - a private four-year liberal arts college located in the Village of Ferrum.  Patrick Henry Community College and Virginia Western Community College both provide courses in the County at the Workforce Development Center.  If you value educated employees that can think creatively, communicate well, and remain committed to continuous learning, you will find the market rich in Franklin County.

Workforce Development

A community’s economic success is related to the quality of its workforce and their ability to engage in continuous learning throughout life.  Franklin County is committed to providing the opportunity for continuous education for all of its citizens.  The Franklin Center is a partnership of a variety of public entities that provide education and training opportunities for businesses and citizens alike.  Partners in the Consortium include Ferrum College, Patrick Henry Community College, Virginia Western Community College, Franklin County Schools, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Rocky Mount.  More information on these partners is available via the links on this page.

Business Information

The Department of Commerce and Leisure Services keeps an updated data set for business related items in Franklin County.  If you would like more information on the County, its workforce, tax rates, education system and opportunities, and quality of life features, please let us know.

Contacts

If you are a business in Franklin County that is thinking about expanding, or if you are considering bringing a new business into Franklin County, and would like more information on the community, please contact:

Scott D. Martin, Director
Department of Commerce and Leisure Services
County of Franklin
40 E. Court St
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
540-483-6606 (ph)
540-483-1297 (fax)
smartin@franklincountyva.org

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