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Economic update: Project Water investment of about $1.3 million and 8 full‑time jobs; Franklin Business Center at 75%
Summary
Carl Heck reported on July 22 that Project Water had a June groundbreaking and represents roughly $1.3 million in private investment and eight full‑time jobs; the Franklin Business Center is about 75% complete and the Commerce & Logistics Center planning is funded with Go Virginia money (no county dollars).
Carl Heck, identified in the meeting record as the president and CEO of the local economic development organization, briefed the Southampton County Board of Supervisors on July 22 about a series of development projects and community services.
Heck said Project Water—behind the Food Lion—had a June groundbreaking and is on schedule for a September–October opening, and he described the project as representing roughly $1,300,000 in investment and eight full‑time jobs. He noted Standard Food and Beverage’s building frame is up, an Ivor store project is moving through planning, and a ribbon cutting for the Southampton Veterinary Clinic is set for Aug. 1.
Heck also highlighted services and programs at the Franklin Business Center (reported at about 75% complete) and noted the center’s fingerprinting service has served roughly 65 people in the first seven weeks. He reiterated that the Commerce & Logistics Center planning work is funded entirely with Go Virginia money and that no county dollars are being used for that particular project.
Direct quotes from the meeting record include Heck’s acknowledgment of the board’s adoption of the Virginia 250 committee and his summary of the commerce project funding: “...the plan we're doing at the Commerce and Logistics Center, is entirely funded with Go Virginia money, so there is no county money as part of that.”
The economic update also referenced active RFPs to support site-readiness and marketing (economic development site study proposals due Aug. 8; Commerce & Logistics Center core study proposals due Aug. 1) and continuing outreach with potential purchasers of the Bill/Beale Farm property. The county administrator earlier reported the Beale Farm is currently farmed by Rose Valley Farms as discussions continue with a prospective buyer.
The updates point to ongoing small‑business activity, near‑term ribbon cuttings and procurement deadlines that will shape follow‑up work by county staff and the economic development office.
