By Amanda Jarratt
President & CEO FSEDI
Special to The Tidewater News

FRANKLIN
Franklin Southampton Economic Development and the SunTrust Community Foundation are pleased to announce the first Micro Loan was awarded on April 13 to Kelly Pellot, owner/operator of A+ Pack and Ship, located in Downtown Franklin.

A+ Pack and Ship is a locally owned and operated FedEx and UPS authorized shipping center offering custom packing and supplies, thrifts, gifts, trinkets and more. Notary service, passport photos, DVD and CD resurfacing, greeting cards and balloon are also available. Pellot plans to use the loan to assist in purchasing inventory, display structures and to increase marketing efforts.

The Micro Loan program offers any business owner within the corporate limits of the City of Franklin and/or Southampton County a loan up to $2,000 with flexible repayment schedules to help local small businesses establish, stabilize and expand. Supporting partners of the Micro Loan program are Paul D. Camp Community College and the Franklin Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce. The partners see this as an outstanding opportunity for small businesses to very easily be able to make lasting investment in their local business’ success. To download an application for a Micro Loan visit www.franklinsouthamptonva.com and submit the completed application to acotton@franklinsouthamptonva.com or deliver it to 601 N. Mechanic St., Suite 300, Franklin, VA 23851.

Eligibility Requirements: 1. Owns or operates a business within the corporate limits of the City of Franklin or Southampton County. 2. Maintains a bank account (approval of credit score required). 3. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to apply.