County moves to repurpose former Majicraft plant as career‑tech center; approves conveyance of two closed elementary schools

Franklin County supervisors on Feb. 18 authorized the county administrator to execute an option agreement to purchase the former Majicraft manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, a step county leaders said would accelerate plans for a county‑run Career and Technical Education center and add space for fire, EMS and 911 operations.

The board’s action authorizes an option to buy two contiguous properties comprising more than 39 acres (260 Weaver Street and 175 Industrial Avenue) and a facility described in county materials as roughly 200,000 square feet of manufacturing/industrial space and an office area. The press materials presented to the board listed a purchase price of $5,000,000 for the option period and said the county and the Franklin County School Board plan to repurpose the manufacturing space as a CTE center; the office portion would house county public safety and 911 dispatch functions.

Why this matters: The county and school board have studied options for a long‑awaited CTE center for Franklin County students. Meeting materials compared the option to building a new 100,000‑square‑foot CTE building on the high‑school campus — a project the presentation estimated would cost more than $76 million in 2025 estimates. County and school officials told the board repurposing the existing facility could deliver similar instructional space and training capacity at a much lower cost and within a shorter timeline.

What the board approved and the next steps - Option agreement: The board voted to authorize the county administrator to execute the option agreement (roll‑call vote: unanimous). The option runs through August 2025 while the county, town of Rocky Mount and school system coordinate zoning, space planning, and cost estimates with architects and engineers. - Conveyance of two closed schools: The board also adopted resolutions accepting the conveyance of Burnt Chimney and Henry Elementary School properties from the Franklin County School Board. The school board declared the properties surplus and requested transfer. County staff told supervisors the properties are in reasonable condition and said the resolutions do not legally bind the county to any particular use or require that sale proceeds be earmarked for schools (the school board requested proceeds be used for school construction but the county is not legally obligated to follow that request).

Ferrum College scholarship partnership - In a separate, related agenda moment, the board and Ferrum College formalized a local scholarship partnership. Ferrum President Marita Martin and college staff signed a memorandum establishing a scholarship fund for Franklin County students; college representatives and a student athlete spoke to the board about the program and its expected local impact.

Board comments and rationale - Board members described the Majicraft option as a “generational” economic and educational opportunity that would provide workforce training, support local manufacturers and reduce costs compared with new construction on the high school campus. Several supervisors praised Ferrum College’s partnership and thanked first responders and volunteers who assisted during recent storms.

Ending: County staff said the next steps include zoning coordination with the town of Rocky Mount, more detailed space and cost planning with the school system and the school board’s program planners, and further public updates as the option period proceeds. The board directed staff to continue interagency planning during the option period and report back on zoning and financial plans.