Strategy / Goals

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. is focusing its strategic efforts on:

* Marketing the community’s assets to diversify the economy, attract new businesses with capital investment and opportunities for job creation.
* Providing technical and business assistance to existing firms so they will expand their current business with new capital investments and jobs.
* Developing programs that will enhance the community’s ability to foster small business growth and further develop a business climate for entrepreneurs to effectively create quality local jobs.
* Creating an atmosphere to foster tourism development that will take advantage of the community’s existing natural and historic assets, and business opportunities for new destination oriented attractions for outside investors.
* Targeting industry sectors for development, such as the health care industry, logistics, design services, wholesale trade, food processing, shared business services and tourism/hospitality.

FSEDI also manages a key business and community asset, a major part of the new business climate, the Franklin Business Incubator. Opening its doors in May 2005, the Incubator is currently home to 19 small businesses. The incubator building can provide and offer the following to small business owners and entrepreneurs:

* Support staff and programs that nurture young firms and businesses
* Exposure to critical business and technical support services
* Hands-on management assistance
* Expandable office space (for up to five years) with flexible leases
* Shared office services and access to office equipment

For more information please contact:

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.
601 N. Mechanic Street
Suite 300
Franklin, Virginia 23851

Phone: 757-562-1958
Fax:       757-562-1612

www.franklinsouthamptonva.com