Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. Named 2024 VGCC Small Business Of The Year

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center recently named a Franklin County family-owned farm as the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award.

Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. is the nonprofit food ministry of Mcphetridge Family Farms, a sustainable small farm located outside Franklinton.

Leadership joined Franklin County officials and community members as the VGCC Small Business Center presented Sowing Seeds NC, Inc., with its 2024 Small Business of the Year award.

Joni and Todd McPhetridge had a passion for combatting food insecurity long before moving to the Franklinton area in 2018. A few years later, a local food pantry began sharing their leftover items with the McPhetridges, who figured the farm animals could consume items past their prime—but when they realized some of the food was still good, the McPhetridges decided to share with friends and family. The pantry began supplying more items to support this new initiative, to the point the family had to start announcing the extras on social media to make sure they did not go to waste.

By early 2023, the McPhetridges realized their ministry was growing consistently enough to warrant its own air-conditioned building, somewhere to keep food preserved in the summer. They officially launched Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. and they have grown tremendously since. According to their website, the organization has already served over 13,400 individuals this year, and they anticipate serving 31,800 by the end of 2024. A small team of volunteers regularly helps unload and organize food, as well as man the pantry during its open hours.

In spring 2024, Sowing Seeds NC participated in the Entrepreneurial Business Grant Program, a collaborative effort between the VGCC Small Business Center and the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Group. Joni McPhetridge completed the course with a robust arsenal of tools to foster the success of Sowing Seeds NC, an expanded network of professional relationships, and a grant to improve the Sowing Seeds NC facilities.

Carolyn Perry, director of the Vance-Granville Small Business Center, has added her own perspective on what makes Sowing Seeds an exceptional organization:

  • Sowing Seeds serves with open hearts. Because they serve others genuinely and selflessly, positive outcomes have followed. Whether it’s volunteering, helping their neighbors in the surrounding communities, or contributing to a cause, their open-hearted approach has led to meaningful connections and positive change throughout Franklin County.
  • Sowing Seeds shows up and gives its best. When good things started happening, it was essential that Sowing Seeds be present and actively participate—showing up consistently, whether it’s at work, in relationships, or in community activities. Giving their best efforts supports their ever-growing network of partners.
  • Sowing Seeds reflects adaptability and openness. Life is full of changes and challenges. Being adaptable and open-minded allows Sowing Seeds to navigate these transitions effectively—embracing new opportunities, learning from their setbacks, and remaining flexible in their approach.
  • Sowing Seeds treats people well. Building a strong network involves treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Positive interactions create lasting connections, both personally and professionally. When people are treated well, they won’t forget that feeling.

September Is Emergency Preparedness Month

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September is National Preparedness Month and Gov. Roy Cooper along with state emergency management officials are urging North Carolinians to review and update their emergency plans and supply kits.

“Recent events like Tropical Storm Debby that caused damage in our state highlight the importance of being prepared,” said Cooper. “It’s not a matter of if, but when North Carolina will face a significant storm or other disruptive events. We must be proactive and prepared.”

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, encourages all Americans to prepare for various types of emergencies. For resources on family disaster preparedness, visit ReadyNC.gov, which offers information on traffic, power outages, and shelters.

North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray highlighted the state’s comprehensive approach to preparedness: “In this all-hazards threat environment, we plan and train for a range of emergencies, including tropical and winter weather, critical infrastructure failure, cybersecurity incidents,and more. It’s crucial for North Carolinians to have an emergency plan and practice it, communicate it to family or friends, and maintain a well-stocked emergency supply kit with provisions for at least three to seven days.”

North Carolinians can check with their local emergency management offices to find out what local alerting resources are available in their community. Residents should enable emergency alerts on their mobile device to stay informed. Additionally, North Carolina’s Know Your Zone initiative helps eastern North Carolina residents and visitors understand evacuation procedures in coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes and other hazards. Learn more about your evacuation zone and how to prepare by visiting KnowYourZone.nc.gov.

CERT programs play a crucial role in community resilience, providing support in disaster aftermath and contributing to preparedness and response efforts.

Stay informed and prepared by following @NCEmergency on Twitter and Facebook throughout September for daily preparedness tips.

 

Warren County Economic Development, VGCC To Hold Soft Skills Training Course Sept. 25

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Warren County Community and Economic Development, in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College, is hosting a Soft Skills training course on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Warren County EMS Emergency Operations Center, located at 890 US-158 BYP in Warrenton.

Dr. Laurica Yancey, a Warren County native and instructor from the Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) Corporate Learning and Professional Development department, will lead the training.

This training is designed for local business and non-profit organization owners, human resource and hiring managers, as well as work supervisors focusing on two crucial topics: “Generational Differences in the Workplace” and “Recruiting Strategies for Today’s Market.” Participants will gain valuable insights into managing a multigenerational workforce and refining recruitment strategies to meet the demands of the current job market.

The course is sponsored by Warren County Community and Economic Development.

Registration is now open and can be completed online at https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/clpd/.

For more information, contact Megan Williams, economic development specialist, at 252.257.3115.

IT Management Company To Build $9M Facility In Franklin County

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A New Jersey-based IT company is building a $9 million production center in Franklin County, which will create 100 new full-time jobs.

PlanITROI, LLC, a leading provider of secure, purpose-driven IT lifecycle management solutions, is establishing a “Center of Excellence,” according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.

“After an exhaustive national search for a location for our Center of Excellence, Franklin County stood out as not only an excellent location, but also a strong environment for us to grow and develop our next generation of PlanITROI teammates,” stated Paul Baum, the company’s CEO and founder.

“We are thrilled to welcome PlanITROI to Franklin County,” said Economic Development Director Barbara Fiedor. “Their investment and job creation will have a positive impact on our community and their commitment to being a strong community partner aligns with our values. This company’s investment underscores Franklin County’s dedication to attracting forward-thinking businesses aiming to enhance economic development while supporting community initiatives.”

PlanITROI is known for delivering complete end-to-end IT lifecycle management asset value recovery services and reverse logistics solutions, data security, and real-time transparent reporting and analytics. PlanITROI brings affordable technology to lower-income families, students, and businesses.

As part of its community engagement, the company’s nonprofit arm called Digital Dreams Project will donate refurbished computers to local schools and community organizations to support educational and community development as well as foster digital inclusion across Franklin County.

The Digital Dreams Project has provided affordable access to technology to more than 600,000 individuals in their mission to close the digital divide and empower underserved communities and drive transformative change.

The grand opening of the facility is anticipated to take place in early October 2024 and there will be a ribbon-cutting of the new facility anticipated to take place in early 2025.

 

For more information about the grand opening event or to learn more about employment opportunities, contact Tammy Lesch, CSO at tlesch@planitroi.com.

Kerr-Tar COG Hosts Cultivate 2024 Sept. 12 At Louisburg College

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The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments is hosting this year’s Cultivate 2024 regional economic development summit at Louisburg College on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The summit will be held at the Jones Performing Arts Center on the college’s campus and begins at 8:30 a.m., according to information from local Chamber president Sandra Wilkerson.

Business leaders, elected officials and others interested in economic development across the Kerr-Tar region can register HERE; although there is no fee associated with the event, registration is required.

Keynote speaker is Jennifer Pharr Davis, an author and small business owner. Other speakers include Ryan Combs, executive director of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and Scott Peacock, director of Tourism, Marketing & Communication for Visit NC.

In addition to the speakers, participants will have the chance to visit a trade show and hear panel discussions. The summit will discuss how rural communities can foster innovation to create thriving futures.

Jones Performing Arts Center is located at 501 N. Main St., Louisburg.

Visit  https://www.kerrtarcog.org/ to learn more about KTCOG and the programs it offers in its service area that includes Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties.

Franklin County Plans To Add High-Speed Internet To 2,374 More Locations

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  • Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III

 

More than 2,300 locations in Franklin County will be added to the growing list of places getting high speed broadband internet access.

Through new Completing Access to Broadband grant funding, Brightspeed – formerly CenturyLink and Lumen – will begin deploying high speed fiber-to-the-home internet to 2,374 locations.  Earlier this month, the N.C. Dept. of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity announced a $5.6 million award to the county. In April, the county agreed to spend $2 million in ARPA funds to match the funding requirements.

The final county match comes to $1,962,728.95, according to Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III. Once completed, in October 2026, about 50 percent of the eligible locations in the county will have the high-speed capability.

“I fully support this overwhelmingly.  We have got to get this service out to the underserved parts of the County,” Board of Commissioners Chair Harry Foy said. “Everybody needs internet like electricity, water and sewer. You have got to have it.”

Franklin County has benefited from broadband grant funding in the past several years. Two previous awards under the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) allowed Brightspeed to deploy fiber to more than 3,400 locations in Franklin County.

A map identifying the areas awarded under the CAB program can be found on the county’s website where information on the county’s broadband efforts can also be found.

The CAB program provides an opportunity for individual N.C. counties to partner with NCDIT to fund broadband deployment projects in unserved areas of each county. N.C. Session Law 2021-180 appropriated $400 million from ARPA for this program. NCDIT awarded CAB grant funds to connect nearly 26,000 households and businesses in 19 counties to high-speed internet.

Franklin Co. Approves $125M Budget

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– information courtesy of Franklin Co. Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $125 million budget earlier this month that includes a tax rate of 50.5 cents per $100 valuation and a capital improvement plan for the general fund, public utilities and solid waste.

The previous tax rate had been 78.5 cents per $100 valuation, so the new tax rate represents a 28-cent drop. The new rate is just a shade over the revenue-neutral rate of 49.91 cents per $100 valuation.

County Manager Kim Denton presented the recommended budget to commissioners on May 20.

The new budget provides for more staffing in areas that provide direct services to residents, provides for purchase of vehicles to accomplish service delivery and maintains a competitive employee compensation and benefits for county employees, as well as provides funding to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.

County Attorney Gena McCray reported to commissioners at the June 10 meeting that the Franklin County Board of Education had met earlier that day and had amended its FY25 budget request to $30,541,812 for local expenses and $1,890,611 for capital outlay expenses for a total of $32,432,423. Support for education represents 30.8 percent of the county’s FY25 General Fund budget.

 

Highlights from the FY25 Budget include:

  • $125,346,271 General Fund budget
  • Tax rate set at 50.5 cents per $100 valuation of property (reduced from 78.5 cents)
  • 13 new county positions to address growth and the expanding need for services
  • 23 new vehicles (including 10 for Sheriff’s Office)
  • Public Utilities water and sewer rate increases
  • $32,432,423 to Franklin County Schools for Local Current Expense and Capital Outlay

The county’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution. The complete Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.franklincountync.gov/county_services/budget___finance/index.php

Maria Parham Franklin’s Hope Benton Receives 2024 Mercy Award

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Information from Donna Young, MPH Marketing & Communications Coordinator 

A CNA II/Nurse Tech based at Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg has received the 2024 Mercy Award for her exceptional dedication to healthcare, community service and advocacy.

Hope Benton is this year’s recipient of The Mercy Award, given to one employee at each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who touches the lives of others in profound ways and represents the spirit and values upon which the company was founded, according to information from Maria Parham’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator Donna Young.

 The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program that honors the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.

Benton’s selection as the Mercy Award winner holds particular significance as she becomes the first Maria Parham Franklin-based recipient since the hospital’s reopening nearly six years ago as part of Maria Parham Health. Her commitment to restoring vital emergency services and addressing the region’s mental health crisis underscores her unwavering dedication to the community’s well-being.

From a young age, Benton said she felt a calling to healthcare, inspired by her family’s visits to local nursing homes. Her passion for helping others led to a 22-year career at a local assisted living facility, where she discovered her true vocation in healthcare.

As a highly skilled paramedic and now a nurse tech/CNA, Benton serves as a mentor and guide to her colleagues, earning a reputation as a go-to team member at Maria Parham Franklin. Known for her approachable demeanor and willingness to assist, she embodies the values of a star employee and Mercy Award recipient.

Beyond her clinical duties, Benton is an advocate for the hospital’s mission in the community, actively engaging in volunteer activities with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Her efforts have been instrumental in fostering partnerships and making a positive impact on community health initiatives.

Benton’s exceptional care extends to behavioral health patients in the Emergency Department, where she demonstrates uncommon empathy and compassion. Her dedication to preserving their dignity and well-being sets a standard for excellence in patient care.

“With such positive energy to serve our community and her home, Hope is making a difference in our health system daily,” said Bert Beard, CEO at Maria Parham Health. “Her unwavering commitment to compassionate care embodies the legacy of Scott Mercy, and we are proud to recognize her as our 2024 Mercy Award recipient.”

Upcoming Blood Drives

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Kick June off right by donating blood or plasma at several upcoming blood drives.

The American Red Cross has a special incentive to donors who register to help build the blood supply for patients in need. Everyone who comes to a blood drive site between now and June 9 will get a t-shirt featuring the iconic video game Tetris, which is commemorating its 40th anniversary.

Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov. See RedCrossBlood.org/Tetris for details.

Donors of all blood types – especially those giving type O blood and donors giving platelets – are vital to people counting on blood products for critical medical procedures, according to Red Cross representatives.

Every single donation can help keep the blood supply as stable as possible during a busy time of year when many regular donors may be unable to give. Find a time before your calendar fills up. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to register at a convenient location.

Available June blood drives:

  • Thursday, June 6: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd., Henderson
  • Friday, June 7: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Creedmoor Community Center, 116 Douglas Dr., Creedmoor

Franklin Commissioners Considering $180 Million Total Budget; Public Hearing June 3

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Franklin County commissioners are considering a total budget of more than $180 million, which includes adding more than a dozen new county employees, calling for new fees and increases in others, and setting the property tax rate at .505 per $100 valuation.

Franklin County Manager Kim Denton’s May 20 budget presentation calls for just slightly more

than the revenue-neutral rate of .4991 per $100.

And although the budget includes taking more than $4.1 million from the fund balance – $2.3 million of which will be used for capital purchases – it’s still $1.3 million less than was taken last year.

As part of her presentation, Denton shared data about the county’s overall growth – with a 4.1 percent annual growth rate, Franklin is the fastest growing county in the Triangle area, the 3rd fastest growing in the state and the 61st fastest growing county in the nation, according to Census data.

On the expense side of things, $873,193 will be spent to add 13 new full-time employees, including an animal cruelty investigator, as well as staff in IT and facilities management. The county’s departments requested a total of 34 new vehicles during the budget process, and the budget includes more than $1.6 million to purchase 23 vehicles.

Franklin County Schools requested $33 million and the proposed budget includes $29,259,067.

On the revenue side, new fees – several of which are for storage, towing and more at the airport – will be introduced effective July 1.

Animal adoption fees are going up, but fees will be waived for TNVR feral cat adoptions.

It’ll cost $30 to revoke membership in the county’s Voluntary Ag District program and the $5 fee for gun permits has been dropped – residents will be able to get gun permits free of charge.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 3 at regular scheduled board meeting. Residents are invited to view the livestream broadcast of the meeting and to submit comments about the budget via a public portal found on the county’s website www.franklincountync.gov.

The budget may be adopted at the end of the June 3 meeting or at the June 17 commissioners’ meeting.

View the complete budget document at  www.franklincountync.gov.