The Town of Franklin’s attempts to build a new economic development plan took the next step with a public event on June 23 at Twenty-Eight Main to come up with drafts for a new vision statement.
The visioning event is part of a project to develop a new economic development plan and facilitate Franklin's reentry into the N.C. Main Street Program. The state program provides guidance, training and grant funding to help grow and improve downtowns across North Carolina. The economic development project is separate from the Main Street Transformation, which the town held public workshops for in May.
Representatives of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center and Appalachian Regional Commission helped run the event, which attracted more than 25 residents, business owners and officials to help build a plan for what they want Franklin to be in five years.
Allison Smith of the Appalachian Regional Commission said the project would help the community identify what residents already see as valuable within the community, and rather than chase the next big thing slowly invest and grow what the town has already.
“There’s growing research to show one of the best things a community can do to grow as an economy is to invest in itself, to invest in quality of life,” Smith said.
She started the event with a set of exercises that invited people at tables of 4-7 to list what they saw as the town's assets, sharing a premade list which included six categories: economic, cultural, natural, institutional, community and governmental assets.
Community members had previously included items like Main Street, office space, the Appalachian Trail community and a tech-trained workforce as economic assets. Cultural assets included the Scottish Tartans Museum, Gem and Mineral Museum and the Historical Museum, the Women’s History Trail, the Noquisiyi Mound and Pickin’ on the Square. Natural assets included the AT and Bartram Trail, the Little Tennessee River Greenway, bike trails and water recreation through rivers and waterfalls.
Institutional assets included Southwestern Community College, the new Franklin High School, the Job Corps and Duke Energy. Community assets included Rotary, American Legion and 828 Vets, the Macon County Art Association and Merchant’s Association.
Participants at the visioning event shared additional assets like music and performance venues, the social district, Cowee School, MANNA, Vecinos, public parks, the fire department, KIDS Place, and the airport.
Once the groups developed their lists of assets, Smith had them work together to draft vision statements which highlight Franklin's points of interest Franklin and the identity Franklin wants to develop as it continues to grow.
Every statement discussed Franklin’s connection to nature and its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. Most also discussed Appalachian culture, while some highlighted small businesses as a target for Franklin’s support. Visitors discussed the goal of highlighting Franklin’s history as a tech hub for groups like Drake Software and drawing more young people to come live in Franklin.
Many visitors discussed Franklin as a kind of crossroads between the past and future, technology and nature, culture and the landscape, age and youth and more. The proposed vision statements included:
- Franklin is a safe trailhead to the diverse cultural mountain community, boasting a collection of creative arts through rich heritage; peaceful life flows through beautiful landscapes nestled along the scenic Little Tennessee River.
- To establish Franklin as the gateway to Appalachian adventure, a hub for unique local commerce and a celebrated destination where arts, culture and gemstone heritage shine. All roads lead to Franklin, the crossroads of Western North Carolina.
- To be the premier Appalachian mountain destination, celebrating our roots through local arts, museums, gem mining and entertainment. Serving as a gateway to outdoor adventure, scenic trails and pristine parks where rich cultural history and vibrant local commerce unite to create an unforgettable experience.
- Gateway to WNC, bordered by the Nantahala National Forest and the Appalachian Trail. Crossroads to specialty independent shops in the heart of our historic district. Hub of cultural experiences and home to the only Scottish Tartans Museum in the world. Friendly, safe and welcoming rural mountain community.
- Historic Downtown Franklin is the front porch of the Smokies. We are rooted in authentic Appalachian hospitality, serving our community by connecting neighbors in a walkable, picturesque heart of thriving small businesses, cultural experiences, outdoor adventure and renowned cuisine.
- Nestled in the picturesque mountains with a river running through it, Franklin highlights and supports its cultural sites and heritage, outdoor amenities and unique businesses. Offering a family-friendly, safe, walkable environment for those who live, work or visit here.
Following the event, the Main Street and Rural Planning Center will work to merge the statements into one vision statement for the town of Franklin, to be presented alongside the rest of the draft economic plan to the Franklin Town Council by the end of the calendar year, Smith said.