Workforce Development
Workforce in Franklin Southampton
The City of Franklin and Southampton County's location in the Commonwealth of Virginia and proximity to the Hampton Roads region offers a wide variety of labor benefits. The state of Virginia is a right-to-work state with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance costs which rank the 5th lowest in the nation. A strong transportation network throughout Hampton Roads accesses a large variety of skill sets to support every industry from retail, warehousing and logistics to advanced manufacturing and information technology.
- The total workforce of the Hampton Roads region is over 830,000 people
- Franklin and Southampton's immediate labor pool encompasses over 110,000 people
- Hampton Roads enrolls 96,000 students at eight universities and four community colleges, annually graduating 14,000 people
- Hampton Roads' strong military presence brings 13,000 military personnel to the civilian workforce annually.
Major Employers
Manufacturing
| Company | Product/Service | Estimated Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Enviva | Wood Pellet Manufacturing | 50-99 |
| Solenis | Chemicals | 50-99 |
| Birdsong Peanuts | Peanut Processing | 50-99 |
| Hubbard Peanut Co., Inc. | Peanut Processing and Sales | 50-99 |
| FERIDIES Peanuts | Peanut Processing and Sales | 20-49 |
Non-Manufacturing
| Company | Product/Service | Estimated Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton Memorial Hospital | Health Care | 300-599 |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Higher Education | 300-599 |
| Deerfield Correctional Center | Correctional Institution | 100-299 |
| Food Lion, Inc. | Retail Food | 100-299 |
| Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Discount Supercenter | 100-299 |
Workforce Resources
Hampton Roads Workforce Council the regional Workforce Investment Board, works to strengthen the regional workforce to support a growing and changing economy. The organization provides services ranging from job training funds to assisting employers undertaking layoffs or closures.
Paul D. Camp Community College and the Paul D. Camp Community College Regional Workforce Development Center offers a variety of customized training, education and workforce services to meet the needs of new, existing and downsizing employers.