Franklin County - a County of Growth

Twenty years ago, Rosemary Champion moved to Franklin County to continue her real estate career. But, she soon discovered there were not enough houses to be sold in the largely rural county.

 
Since then, a lot has changed in Franklin County.

Like many areas surrounding Wake County, growth is coming quickly to the once rustic area. Many are finding their way north up U.S. 401 and U.S. 1, seeking a quieter, small-town lifestyle with the amenities of a larger city close by. While county and town leaders welcome the new growth and development, they are planning for the many challenges it brings. Franklin County is the ninth-fastest growing county in the state.

"Southern Franklin County is exploding with new subdivisions almost every day," says Champion, who now is the managing officer of Community National Bank in Louisburg. "More people are discovering they can get more land and space here and still be close to work in Wake County or The Research Triangle Park." Today, community leaders are promoting this continual down-home, small town charm to help attract more residents and businesses to Franklin County. Located about 20 miles from Raleigh, the county is experiencing most of its growth close to the Wake County border. Its population is an estimated 53,000. "We have about 65 percent of our residents living in Franklin County and working outside the county," says Champion, who is also board chairman of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. "We are thrilled with all the residential growth and would like to continue to see more industries locate here." New subdivisions with homes in all price ranges are coming to the growing county that is named for Benjamin Franklin. The U.S. 1 corridor in southwest Franklin County has been the site of rampant residential growth over the past few years.

The first residents are moving into Olde Liberty, a 541-acre property that will be one of the largest communities in the county. A master plan was approved for 642 home sites and an 18-hole golf course off N.C. 96 near U.S. 1 between Franklinton and Youngsville. Home prices range from $200,000 to the low $400,000s.
Another massive subdivision, Oak Park, which will have more than 600 residential lots off Hicks Road and U.S. 1, is also just getting started. Hidden Lake, a new subdivision about three miles north of Youngsville, will have 124 homes with prices starting at $900,000 and running to $3 million. Prices will average $1.25 million to $1.5 million. Construction started last fall with 30 homesites already sold.

"The location and property are pretty much selling themselves," says Gregory Inggs, senior marketing manager with Crescent Communities Greater Raleigh, which is developing the project. Crescent is part of Crescent Resources, the real estate development arm of Duke Energy. The 600-acre site includes a 75-acre lake and a covered boathouse with kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and electric boats for residents. The Hidden Lake plans also include 227 acres of open space with a 100-acre park and 13 miles of paved and unpaved bike trails and paths.  George Pittman, a founder of Ammons Pittman/GMAC Real Estate, has been working in the Franklin County area for more than 20 years. His company opened offices in Youngsville about five years ago and Louisburg, the county seat, almost two years ago

"Most of the changes have come to Franklin County in the last five or six years," he says. "We are seeing most of this growth spilling over from Wake County. Right now, there is a greater availability of land and at this point it is less expensive." Pittman, who has worked with developers in more than 20 subdivisions in the county, says homes are selling quickly to newcomers and others who don’t mind slightly longer commutes to work in Wake County or Research Triangle Park.
"We have some beautiful land up here and people are just amazed when they see it," he says. "They are realizing it is a pretty nice place to be with a lot of amenities they can’t find closer to the larger cities."

Last fall, the Franklin County Home Builders Association hosted its annual Parade of Homes with more than 50 homes featured. Home prices ranged up to $600,000.
Following the rooftops, commercial and retail growth are coming to Franklin County. Major industries in the county include Flextronics, Novozymes North America, Southern Lithoplate, Stock Building Supply and Neuse Tile Service.

"The availability of a good, trainable work force attracts and keeps a variety of industries in the county," says Ronnie Goswick, director of Economic Development in Franklin County. "While most of our growth recently has been residential, we continue to see more industries interested in the county."
Novozymes North America, located in Franklinton, is the largest multipurpose enzyme manufacturing facility in the United States. Based in Denmark, the company employs about 450 workers locally.

"We have found an extremely collaborative environment with the government officials and community leaders," says Yokima Cureton, spokesperson for Novozymes North America. "We enjoy doing business in this friendly, hometown environment and feel a real part of the fabric of this community." Flextronics, which employs 750 in Franklin County, recently announced plans to bring 75 new jobs to the region. Southern Lithoplate is expanding its manufacturing center in Youngsville. Several new buildings are offering flex space for a range of industries in the county.

"We are beginning to see some shopping centers locate across the county," says Goswick. "As more people move to the county, we expect to see more increases in the retail sector." More homes and residents have triggered the need for more roads, schools and other services.
Traffic congestion is an issue facing the entire region. The new Interstate 540 that will circle Wake County opened the end of the year in Raleigh from Capital Boulevard east to U.S. 64-264. This connection will help open up the Research Triangle Park and points west for Franklin County commuters.
Local officials are pushing for the widening of U.S. 401 to four lanes from Wake County to Louisburg. The majority of the Franklin County commuters use the two-lane, narrow road.

The newly-renovated Franklin Regional Medical Center with 85 beds is located in Louisburg. The town is also the home of Louisburg College, the oldest junior college in the nation. First in Flight Aviation operates the Franklin County Airport, a popular skydiving site in the Triangle area. A flight school is also located at the airport that has one runway. New residents will continue to be attracted to Franklin County, according to Champion. With more urban development in neighboring Wake County, more families will seek a quieter, more rural lifestyle.

"Franklin County is at the right place at the right time," she says. "We have a lot going for us and we will continue to grow."

Jane Paige is a freelance writer