Franklin Southampton Economic Development’s mission is to: “Diversify the economy, creating high quality jobs, and provide a future for the families and youth of Franklin and Southampton.” This mission is accomplished by concentrating on four key areas of economic development:
Existing Business
Business Attraction
Entrepreneurship
Tourism
Existing Business
FSEDI understands fostering existing businesses is essential to a community’s economic growth. FSEDI staff and local leaders regularly visit local companies and provide a range of different services from the following:
- Understand a company’s goals and what services and products they offer
- Identify customer, supplier, and workforce concerns
- Provide a network of contacts who may assist in business operations
- Identify local business climate and bureaucratic issues which need resolved
- Assist existing companies with expansion projects and downsizing
- Coordinate educational programs to help support existing business development
- Act as a liaison for existing business between local and state government.
Business Attraction
FSEDI understands the importance of the global marketplace for today’s business. Marketing and assistance to new businesses include:
- Market available property, incentives, and community information to local, state, and national brokers, consultants, and companies
- Provide reliable and up-to-date business/statistical information
- Identify and maintain a database of available sites and buildings
- Network with appropriate local, regional and state development organizations
- Attend target industry sector tradeshows and conferences
- Provide a reliable and educated workforce
- Act as a liaison for new business between local and state government
Entrepreneurship
FSEDI understands the importance in nurturing those entrepreneurs in the community who have a vision to start their own business. The Franklin Business Incubator is one major tool where entrepreneurs can start their business or take advantage of the following services to ensure success:
- Business planning assistance
- Networking opportunities
- Industry mentors
- Training programs
- State of the art office space
- Flexible inexpensive lease terms including utilities
- Shared equipment (fax, copier, general office equipment)
Tourism
FSEDI understands the importance tourism has on generating revenue for local business while helping market the community. The City of Franklin and Southampton County have wonderful assets for all types of tourists to enjoy as well as numerous opportunities for the next tourism business venture. Come and get Quietly Connected to the following:
- Outdoor Recreation – Outdoorsmen’s paradise with three rivers, numerous hunt clubs, equestrian farms and abundant wildlife
- History – Native American, Civil War, Nat Turner’s Slave Revolt, Agriculture, Downtown Franklin’s Historic Flood and more
- Museums in art, agriculture, timber industry and a zoo
- Eclectic shopping, antique stores, farmer’s market and southern fare dining
- Numerous festivals, fairs, and events throughout the year
