Small Business Resources

The Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of tools to assist in starting or growing a business. Membership in the Chamber provides cost saving benefits to positively affect your bottom line as well as networking opportunities to promote your business.
The Chamber serves as a satellite office for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Hampton Roads and houses a variety of business resource publications. The SBDC offers business counseling, specialized training and information resources to help emerging and established owner-entrepreneurs succeed. Small Business Director, Jim Carroll meets with clients on the second Thursday of each month providing experienced insight and practical solutions in a confidential setting.

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. (FSEDI) was created in 2005 as a new economic development organization that is grounded in city, county & regional cooperation. Their mission is: Diversifying the economy, creating high quality jobs, and providing a future for the families and youth of Franklin and Southampton. FSEDI is a member of Virginia's Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance.

The Franklin Business Incubator is located in a renovated 40,000 sq. foot state of the art facility on Mechanic Street in Franklin. New businesses have access to support staff and programs that help them to survive and grow during their start up period when they are most vulnerable, traditionally for a period of two years. The Incubator offers affordable rent, shared office services, access to equipment and hands on management assistance. Within the Incubator, businesses will receive the experience and knowledge on how to run a successful business. National Business Incubator Association statistics shows that 87% of incubator graduated businesses REMAIN in business.

Downtown Franklin is designated as a Virginia Main Street Community. Their progressive programs offer assistance such as façade renovations to downtown businesses. Downtown Fall Festival and a weekly summer concert series are annual events that bring activity to the downtown area. To inquire about doing business in downtown Franklin, contact the Downtown Franklin Association office at (757) 562-6900.

The community’s proximity to major highways and ports provides an ideal location for business & industry. For more information on development opportunities visit www.franklinva.com or www.southamptoncounty.org.

Business resource books, CD’s and videos can be obtained through The Blackwater Regional Library System.

To obtain a business license contact the Commissioner of Revenue.