Boones Mill works with county to attract smaller businesses to the town

FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Franklin County and town leaders are working together to attract new businesses to area.

Earlier this year, the county purchased a $4 million piece of property to create a 550-acre business park.

As Franklin County works to attract larger businesses to the industrial park, towns like Rocky Mount, Boones Mill and Ferrum are hoping to stand out to some of those smaller businesses interested in coming to the area.

After the $4 million land purchase in June, Boones Mill Town Manager Matt Lawless said the Franklin County Board of Supervisors just completed its master plan for the 550-acre site which will become the future Southway Business Park.

"Franklin County has so much to offer a start-up in any industry of any size," said Lawless.

Along Route 220, the county estimates the park will bring $320 million of investment and 2,200 new jobs over the lifetime of the park.

The town of Boones Mill is also working on a commercial site of its own.

"We are doing some projects at the same time, but at very different scales," said Lawless.

Across from the restored Boones Mill train depot, the old warehouse connected to town hall is being renovated for commercial use.

"We will have 50,000 square feet of top-notch commercial space completed in April. We have about a quarter of it leased already with a couple of other prospects in line," continued Lawless.

While smaller business will certainly be welcome to the county, Lawless said they're working with the county to direct smaller interested businesses to the town.

"So we are available for 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 square foot business. I think there is a play calling and traffic control business for this business is best at this site and this business is best at that site," Lawless said.

It's a partnership that will not only benefit each individual town but the county as a whole.


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