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Franklin

Franklin, VA

Franklin is a thriving city found in the southwest of the Hampton Roads region. With exceptional transportation corridors to the Port of Virginia, a Regional Workforce Development Center, ample real estate zoned for commercial use, a passion for start up business growth and an affordable quality of life, the City of Franklin is an ideal location for investment opportunity.
 

Industry Highlights

Franklin is well-positioned for industrial growth due to the acreage available at Pretlow Industrial Park. It is publicly owned and located directly off Highway 58. The property is zoned M-2 Heavy Industrial, located in an Enterprise Zone, has a 500,000 gallon water tower on site and the option for natural gas to be extended to the park.

The Franklin Business Center is another key proponent for local business success. The building is a 40,000 square foot restored mixed-use incubator serving startups and expanding businesses. The Business Center has office space, support staff and many programs available. It also provides hands-on management assistance, access to equipment, and exposure to critical business and technical support services all under one roof.

Quality of Life

In Franklin, you can enjoy a community where small town amenities abound, including Camp Community College, Southampton Memorial Hospital, Cypress Cove Country Club, Blackwater Regional Library and James L. Camp YMCA as well as many public parks, and the scenic Blackwater river. Franklin is also home to the Historic Downtown Franklin district that carries the only ‘Virginia Main Street’ designation in the Hampton Roads region. This district is home to many unique retail options, a quaint coffee shop, and various eateries.
 

Industry Employment Breakdown

Industry

# of Employees

% of Workforce

Industry

Health Care and Social Assistance

# of Employees

1,149

% of Workforce

59.17%

Industry

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services

# of Employees

293

% of Workforce

15.09%

Industry

Finance and Insurance

# of Employees

160

% of Workforce

8.24%

Industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

# of Employees

108

% of Workforce

5.56%

Industry

Wholesale Trade

# of Employees

70

% of Workforce

3.60%

Source: EMSI

Demographics

Population

Population

7,949

Median Age

Median Age

41.5

Labor Force

Labor Force

26,874

Unemployment Rate

Unemployment Rate

2.9%

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$---

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2019; Esri Business Analyst Online, 2024 Forecast; Esri Business Analyst Online 2019 Detailed Age Profile; Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), 2019 Forecast

Key Companies

Birdsong Peanuts

Enviva

Hampton Farms

Paul D. Camp Community College

Southampton Memorial Hospital

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.

Mr. Karl T. Heck, President and CEO