by Mallory Taylor
Business Development Manager Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.

FRANKLIN
The New Year started off with a bang for the Franklin Business Center. From establishing its new name as the Franklin Business Center (formally the Franklin Business Incubator) to the addition of three dynamic new clients– 2016 has proved to be a year favoring business development in the City of Franklin. With the occupancy rate of the Franklin Business Center at 76 percent office space is filling up quickly but there is still room for those looking for assistance starting or expanding their business.

The three newest faces to the Franklin Business Center come from a variety of industries and stages in business from a start-up construction business to an expanding tire and auto business – the Franklin Business Center would like to introduce you to our newest clients.

LandWerks Contracting, LLC began in 2005 as a home based business. Designated as a Class A Contractor, LandWerks serves their customers by offering a wide variety of services statewide in Virginia. LandWerks performs many jobs ranging from utility work, right-of-way maintenance and clearing, substation construction, wetland construction, highway clearing/construction as well as commercial, industrial and residential construction.

Due to their success and growth, LandWerks decided it would be in their best interest to find professional office to be able to meet with clients and employees. LandWerks chose the Franklin Business Center specifically because of the services offered and its central location.

Stephen Butler, Owner of LandWerks Contracting, LLC has enjoyed becoming a client of the facility and stated “since becoming a client of the Franklin Business Center, we have been able to conduct trainings with our employees on days in which weather did not permit field work, we also have had the opportunity to meet clients in a more professional space which we are still reaping the benefits from”.

Currently, LandWerks is occupying space on the third floor of the Franklin Business Center, if you are interested in learning more about LandWerks, visit their website: http://www.landwerkscontracting.com/.

Limitless Training Opportunities decided to park their business at the Franklin Business Center in February. LaTrey Myrick, Owner of Limitless Training Opportunities, a newly developing company that offers training in various areas related to personal development, employment and education, decided to return back to her hometown to start her own business.

A graduate of Southampton High School, Myrick found there was a need for driver improvement courses in the Franklin Southampton area so she jumped at the opportunity to fill this void locally.

When asked what she is most looking forward to during this new journey she said “I look forward to assisting the Franklin area as well as surrounding communities but I am particularly excited to serve the community in which I was born and raised”.

For more information for training dates and prices, please contact by phone 285-9894 and via e-mail limitlesstrainingopportunities@gmail.com.

Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care, located on Armory Drive in Franklin, recently announced their future plans to expand and continue to be the market leader. Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care made the decision to move into the Franklin Business Center in late January.

Dave Crawford, Chief Operating Officer, noted the reason behind the decision to locate a portion of the management team in the Franklin Business Center because “the Franklin Business Center offers space to work on the business and not just in it. The Franklin Business Center is a quiet, professional facility where we have the resources needed to develop the detailed growth plans without the press of daily business nipping at our heels for attention.

Growing the business requires investment, and a cost-effective option like this helps us to control expenses. The off-site office also provides a place where we can truly focus our attention on the future, and meet with suppliers and potential employees without potentially compromising the company’s direction.”

Bobby’s Tire & Auto was founded in 1982 and provides quality tires and automotive service-repair-maintenance for consumers and small commercial-fleet drivers. Currently there are 2 locations in Franklin and Emporia, Virginia.

If you have questions about Bobby’s Tire & Auto, please contact Robby Cutchins, Chief Executive Officer, at 641-8593 or robbyc@bobbystires.com.

The Franklin Business Center is excited to see where success and hard work takes these three clients.

If you are in the market for any of the services mentioned above be sure to reach out to these great clients to take advantage of their services. If you would like a complete list of the current clients or if you are interested in renting office space at the Franklin Business Center visit our website: www.fsediva.com or call 757-562-958 for more information.