FRANKLIN COUNTY
County Offices
40 East Court Street
Rocky Mount 540-483-3030
www.franklincountyva.org
Chamber of Commerce
261 Franklin Street
Rocky Mount 540-483-9542
www.franklincounty.org
Franklin County, also known as “The Land Between the Lakes and the Blue Ridge,” is a vast expanse of farms, forests, industrial centers, and commercial districts as well as residential communities. Diversity is the essence of this region, from its magnificent scenery and rich folk heritage to its abundance of recreational, entertainment, and cultural resources. As newcomers will soon discover, the crowning jewel of Franklin County is the friendly charm of those who call rural Virginia their home. Striving to balance quality of life with new development, civic leaders on the county level as well as within the localities of Rocky Mount and Boones Mill are dedicated to provide the highest level of public services. As the county census grows, they work together planning environment and scenic preservation, new schools, parks and recreation programs, and adequate utilities.
The economic activity in Franklin County is anchored by industrial parks in the Rocky Mount area and also one in the village of Ferrum. The latter enriches the county educationally and culturally as the home of Ferrum College. Nearly 40 percent of Franklin County is devoted to agricultural activity and farmland. This vast expanse of open space enhances the area’s natural beauty while it adds economic strength. Beef cattle comprises the largest segment, followed by dairy, tobacco, and fruit and nut growers.
Services
Residents enjoy efficient transportation connection, including U.S. Highway 220 to Interstate 81 to the north and Interstates 85 and 40 to the south. Roanoke Regional Airport in Roanoke, just 28 miles to the north, provides commercial jet service that links to national and international carriers. Some of the nation’s finest healthcare services are available in medical centers and hospitals throughout the valley, but particular at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital. This comprehensive facility provides county residents with family-centered healthcare, obstetrics, medical and surgical specialties, intensive care, 24-hour emergency care, home care, hospice, and specialty outpatient clinics.
Excellent public and private schools are available for students from preschool through 12th grade, while the selection of institutions of higher education ranges from two-year colleges and vocational institutes to major universities. Ferrum College right in Franklin County provides a beautiful campus and a full range of academic programs. The county’s $6.5 million Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration is dedicated to preparing students for the American workforce of the 21st century. Community and industry leaders, educators, and parents work together to develop a relevant curriculum.
Lifestyle
Recreation enthusiasts will find an abundance of outdoor and indoor sports, including fishing, boating, and golf. Parks development has been emphasized to provide a diversity of trails, tennis, basketball, game fields, picnic and play areas. The world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway borders Franklin County, encouraging residents to explore the attractions and scenic wonders of a national treasure. Also close to home is the panoramic region of Smith Mountain Lake, known as the “jewel” of the Blue Ridge. One of the most highly acclaimed man-made lakes in the nation, the area provides a picturesque playground for all types of water sports.
Philpott Lake, managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, also provides public areas for hunting, swimming, canoeing, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Exciting stock-car racing, challenging golf, citation-size fish, fantastic trails for hiking and biking, and a bounty of small and big game for the hunting enthusiast are part of the quality of life in Franklin County.
Every direction in Franklin County uncovers a key attraction within the Roanoke Valley. To the west is Ferrum College, celebrating the area’s heritage at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, Virginia’s center for folklore. To the east is the Booker T. Washington National Monument, where visitors can relive the story of a former slave who became the most influential African American at the turn of the last century.
Shops and services are scattered throughout the county, concentrated in the small towns and the Smith Mountain Lake area. Newcomers will find modest older homes that have been beautifully restored, or modern construction in a new subdivision in the countryside. Regardless of where the residential communities are located—nestled in a small town, set along the pristine waterfront, or set on rural acreage—majestic views of the mountains add serenity and beauty to simple daily routines.
