We’re proud to share the Franklin County Economic Development FY 2026 Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, collaboration and opportunity across our community.

This year’s report centers on the County’s slogan, A Natural Setting for Opportunity, which reflects what makes Franklin County so special. While our beautiful landscapes provide the setting, it is our businesses, partners, local leaders, and residents who create the opportunities that help our community thrive.

Inside the report, you’ll find stories of business growth and investment, workforce development, agriculture, community partnerships, and the people working together to move Franklin County forward. You’ll also see the impact of our work this year, including 123 business visits, 107 new jobs, and $51 million in private investment.

We are grateful for the leadership and support of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors and County administration, along with the businesses and partners who continue to invest in Franklin County’s future.

Together, we are building a stronger Franklin County and creating A Natural Setting for Opportunity.

Last month, our office brought together more than 25 of our economic development and workforce partners for a roundtable focused on one question: How can we work together to better serve Franklin County?

We shared updates from Franklin County Economic Development, including the results of our recent Existing Business Survey, and heard from our partners about the work they’re doing and the resources they offer to local businesses and residents.

Most importantly, it was a unique opportunity to have so many of our partners in the same room, sharing ideas, identifying gaps and challenges, and talking through opportunities to work together.

Strong communities are built through strong partnerships, and we’re grateful for the organizations that continue to show up, collaborate, and invest in Franklin County!

Congratulations to Traditional Medicinals on being named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing American companies! This marks the second year in a row that a company doing business in Franklin County has earned this national recognition, following Jewell Machinery’s inclusion on the list in 2025. We’re proud to see businesses choosing to expand right here in Franklin County, and look forward to supporting their continued success!

Small businesses make a big impact! Please join us in congratulating the following Franklin County Businesses who are regional finalists in the Roanoke Regional Chamber's 2026 Small Business Celebration: Ferrum College, Traditional Medicinals, Back 40 BBQ & Bakery, CT Jamison Precast, KC Farms Meats, Melvin's Farm to Fork Store, Rock Outdoors, The Little Mule, Virginia Furniture Market, Wild Hare Farm, Community Partnership of Rocky Mount, and Healing Strides

Small businesses are at the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge—driving innovation, creating jobs, strengthening our communities, and bringing bold ideas to life. The Small Business Celebration & Awards Ceremony recognizes the outstanding companies and people helping our region thrive, and it is a great accomplishment for so many Franklin County businesses to be acknowledged.

Congratulations to all of the 2026 Regional Finalists from Franklin County!

Throughout the summer, we have had the opportunity to celebrate our business community with numerous ribbon cuttings throughout the county! We joined the Community Partnership of Rocky Mount, Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize these significant milestones and are proud to showcase the following business owners who help make Franklin County a great place to live, work, and do business:

The Sugar Shack, The Whole Bean, Dust & Grace,

Eagles Nest Regeneration, Photography by Beth Preston, and the Virginia Furniture Market

Celebrations like these are a great reminder of the passion, creativity, and hard work that our local business owners bring to Franklin County. Please join us in congratulating them and supporting their newest chapters!

We were proud to partner with Build Smart Institute, Ferrum College, Procon, Inc., and Virginia Housing to support the 2026 Franklin County Future Builders Academy!

During Concrete Week and Carpentry Week, high school students from throughout Southwest Virginia explored careers in skilled trades while helping build a permanent campus picnic shelter—an enduring symbol of their collective effort. The academy offered free, practical training in construction trades for students aged 14 to 19.

“The enthusiasm and craftsmanship these students have shown over the past two weeks prove that the passion for building is alive and well in Southwest Virginia,” said Build Smart Institute President Michelle Ramaker (in the middle).

Our Franklin County Economic Development Director Danielle Poe (on the left) emphasized the power of collaboration, saying, “Economic development is about building a sustainable future, and that starts with our youth. The Future Builders Academy demonstrates what is possible when education, industry, and local government work together.”

Supporting entrepreneurship is key to building a stronger local economy. That's why we're excited to share that SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs has expanded to Franklin County, connecting local entrepreneurs with new resources, mentorship, and support to help grow their businesses!



One of the first opportunities available through this expansion is RAMP Up: Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Innovation Accelerator—a free, eight-week program from designed to help startups, existing businesses, and innovators bring their ideas to market. Participants will receive expert mentorship, commercialization training, and, upon successful completion, will be eligible for up to $10,000 in non-dilutive grant funding to support product development and business growth.

Application Deadline: September 3 | Program Dates: September 21 – November 9

The Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board is continuing the conversation around AI with an upcoming Manufacturing Works Roundtable, focused on identifying opportunities and training needs for local manufacturers.

Manufacturers are encouraged to complete a brief survey sharing how their company currently uses AI in machine operations, where they see opportunities for future use, and what types of training would be most valuable.

Survey results will help guide the roundtable discussion and the development of practical AI training that responds to the needs of our region’s manufacturing workforce. Manufacturers are encouraged to share their input and join the conversation about how AI can support the industry and workforce moving forward!

Roundtable Details: September 3 | 8:30 AM | Virtual via Zoom

Join GENEDGE for a Six-Course Leadership Training Series designed for manufacturing, industrial, and service professionals.

Participants will gain practical skills to communicate with confidence and clarity, coach employees for improved performance, set expectations, build trust within their teams, resolve workplace conflict, and increase overall employee engagement and accountability.

Whether you're training new supervisors or strengthening experienced managers, investing in leadership is a great way to improve employee engagement, team productivity, and overall workplace culture!

September 8 – November 17,

Tuesdays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

New College Institute | Martinsville, VA

$1,500 per participant (includes all six courses)

The Roanoke Regional Chamber's next installment of Good Morning VBR is coming up on September 9 in Rocky Mount, bringing together regional leaders and the business community for a morning of updates, conversation, and connection. Hear directly from representatives across Virginia’s Blue Ridge as they share what’s happening in their communities and discuss key developments in economic growth, infrastructure, workforce, education, and community initiatives.

This Good Morning VBR session will feature updates from the following locality representatives:

• Steve Sandy, County Administrator – Franklin County

• Holland Perdue, Mayor – Town of Rocky Mount

• Nathan McClung, Asst. Director of Planning & Zoning – Town of Vinton

• Rich Evans, Capital Project Manager – Botetourt County

• Doug Blount, Deputy County Administrator – Roanoke County

• Joe Cobb, Mayor – City of Roanoke

• And a representative from the City of Salem

Light refreshments will be provided, with opportunities to network before and after the program. Join the conversation and stay connected to the priorities and progress moving our region forward!

Connect with hundreds of local job seekers at the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board's 3rd Annual Roanoke Career Expo on September 10th!

Employers from across the region are invited to participate in this year’s expo and connect with individuals who are ready to take the next step in their careers. This event is a valuable opportunity to showcase your business, promote current and upcoming job openings, and meet skilled candidates face-to-face.

Over the past two years, the Roanoke Career Expo has welcomed between 250 and 400 job seekers—and an even larger turnout is expected this year! By participating, your organization can increase its visibility, share information about career opportunities, and begin building relationships with potential employees from throughout the region.

Whether you are looking to fill immediate openings or strengthen your talent pipeline for the future, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Join fellow regional employers and connect directly with the workforce your business needs to grow!

OpenAI has launched the ChatGPT for Small Businesses Program, bringing together AI tools, educational resources, webinars, and workshops designed to help business owners work smarter and grow with confidence. Whether you're looking to streamline daily tasks, improve marketing, manage operations, or explore new ways to grow your business, this program offers practical guidance you can use right away.

Join an upcoming webinar to learn how AI can turn ideas into finished work, automate tasks, and accomplish more with your existing team!

New funding is coming to support Virginia’s local food and agriculture infrastructure! The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will open its Fall Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant round on September 14th. The program provides reimbursable grants of up to $50,000 for eligible capital projects supporting Virginia agriculture and local food systems, including farmers’ markets, food hubs, commercial kitchens, meat, dairy, and produce processing facilities, packaging, and other facilities.

Applications must be submitted by an eligible locality or public entity, so local farmers, food producers, and organizations with potential projects are encouraged to connect with our economic development team to best explore partnership opportunities.

Patrick & Henry Community College is offering Entrepreneurial Workshops with practical tools for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs!

Excel for Business: Learn practical Microsoft Excel business skills, including budgeting, sales analysis, financial modeling, and performance reporting to support better data-driven decisions

Turning Skills into Income: Learn how to price and package your work, attract customers, avoid common mistakes, and build a sustainable business

Taking Your Social Media to the Next Level: Learn how to strengthen your online presence, reach customers, and grow your business through media engagement

Whether you're launching a new venture or growing an existing business, there’s an opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn something new through these Entrepreneurial Worksops!

Excel for Business: Aug. 27 – Sept. 3, 1:00–3:00 PM | Sept. 29 – Oct. 6, 1:00–3:00 PM

Turning Skills into Income: Sept. 16, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Sept. 23, 12:00–2:00 PM

Taking Your Social Media to the Next Level: Sept. 22, 12:00–1:00 PM | Oct. 20, 12:00–1:00 PM

Join manufacturing professionals from across the Commonwealth for the Virginia ManufacturHER Conference, a one-day event hosted by Virginia Western Community College celebrating the impact women have made on the manufacturing industry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network, learn, and grow while exploring critical topics affecting manufacturing today. The conference will feature keynote speaker Patricia Davidson, Deputy Secretary of Labor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with breakout sessions, a gourmet lunch, and vendor walk.

Come connect with others from across Virginia and celebrate the women making an impact in manufacturing!

Event Details:

October 9, 2026

Registration & Networking: 8:00 – 9:00 AM

Conference: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Virginia Western Community College



Registration Pricing:

• Conference: $225

• Groups of 5 or more: $175 per person

• Vendor Walk: $125

Celebrate the past, present, and future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia! Join more than 200 manufacturers, business leaders, educators, economic development professionals, and community partners on October 9th for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective, a premier Manufacturing Month event highlighting the industry’s impact and future in our region.

A special highlight will be the Inaugural Hall of Fame, recognizing manufacturers that have operated in Southern Virginia for 100 years or more and celebrating their lasting contributions to our economy, workforce, and communities. Join industry leaders and innovators to celebrate Southern Virginia’s manufacturing heritage, showcase where the industry is today, and explore what’s ahead!

The West Piedmont Planning District Commission is updating its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and is seeking input from residents, businesses, and community partners in the region.

The CEDS serves as a regional roadmap for economic growth and community development, helping identify priorities to support job creation, stronger economies, improved quality of life, and future investment opportunities. Community input is an important part of making sure the updated strategy reflects the needs, challenges, and opportunities of the region.

The survey is now open, and the planning process is expected to continue through early 2027, with final adoption anticipated in the spring. Help guide the region’s economic priorities for years to come!

The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) is seeking input from entrepreneurs and small business owners through the 2026 Virginia Small Business Survey.

As part of Governor Spanberger’s Comprehensive Economic Development Policy, the survey will identify challenges, opportunities, and needs of small businesses across the Commonwealth. Feedback will inform future policies, programs, and legislative priorities designed to support Virginia's small business community. Survey deadline is September 11th.

Your perspective can help state leaders better understand what businesses need to start, grow, compete, and thrive. Help ensure the needs and of our region’s small businesses are represented!

Friends of Southwest Virginia has launched Destination Southwest Virginia, a regional initiative focused on strengthening the economy by building on the region's tourism, outdoor recreation, arts, culture, and heritage assets. Community input will help guide a 10-year strategic plan for future investment, collaboration, and destination development across Southwest Virginia. If you live, work, or do business here in Franklin County, we encourage you to share your Southwest Virginia perspective by taking the community survey.

Together, we can help shape a stronger future for our region! The survey is open through mid-September, please consider sharing it to help ensure voices from across our region are represented.

United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge and Ready Region West have partnered with the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement, creating regional childcare surveys to better understand the challenges, needs, and opportunities surrounding childcare in our communities.

We’re encouraging local businesses, families, and childcare providers to share their experiences and perspectives. Your feedback can help provide a clearer picture of childcare needs across the region and inform future efforts to support working families, employers, and providers.

Please select the applicable survey and complete it.