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On the Issues

"Together, A New Start!"

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic development is critically important throughout Prince William County, especially for revitalization efforts in our district. We must strive to promote job growth in Woodbridge while also protecting staple mom-and-pop shops throughout the Route 1 corridor and promoting minority-owned businesses.

Supervisor Franklin’s Accomplishments:

  • Created a small business grant program at $5 million to provide grants to small businesses. negatively impacted by COVID-19 with an emphasis on minority and women-owned businesses.

  • Created a permanent small business program to help startups and business owners looking to expand their companies.

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HOUSING

The growth of commercial development naturally stimulates an increase in residential development. We must guarantee that any new residential development in the Woodbridge corridor will create and maintain affordable housing options for residents. Our County should be open and accessible for all those who want to call Prince William County home.

Supervisor Franklin’s Accomplishments:

  • She created a Housing Assistance program to help residents needing mortgage, rental, and utility assistance during COVID-19.

  • Issued a policy directive to provide options for creating an affordable housing trust fund; Created the first permanent county-run housing assistance program for those in need.

  • Led the effort for additional funding and resources toward rapid homelessness services.

  • She codified affordable housing initiatives in county land use policy. 

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TRANSPORTATION

Increased development has a direct impact on traffic congestion.  That is why I have placed a heavy emphasis on addressing and alleviating local transportation needs including increasing bus routes and multimodal transportation options. 

Recently Completed Transportation Projects include:

  • Rippon Landing Neighborhood Park Parking Lot: This project constructed a parking lot at the Rippon Landing Neighborhood Park for visitors to the park, Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, and the Rippon Landing Historic Home.

  • Express Lane Sidewalk: This project constructed a missing section of the sidewalk at the front of the Woodbridge VRE station to improve commuter safety. The project also replaced three ramps.

  • Horner Road Sidewalk: This project constructed a missing sidewalk section with 360 feet of new sidewalk along Horner Road ending at Kilby Elementary School.

Supervisor Franklin’s Accomplishments:

  • Elected as Chair of OmniRide, Prince William County’s transportation system.

  • Serves on the Operations Board of the Virginia Railway Express.

  • Implemented a transportation budget during COVID-19 that allowed all transit workers to remain employed.

  • Ushered in the second phase of the Route 1 widening to be completed in 2022.

  • Overseeing the design study of the overpass ramp connecting Annapolis Way to Belmont Way.

  • Completed reconstruction of the Annapolis Way intersection.

  • Completion of the Gordon Blvd intersection where traffic switched to the new pavement between Horner Road and Route 1.

  • Overseeing the parking garage design for the Rippon VRE station.

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EDUCATION

Many of our schools on the eastern end have become increasingly overcrowded. In turn, this has resulted in many of our kids going to classes in trailers. I will make it a priority to work with the Prince William County School Board to finally give them the resources they need to build more schools, improve the infrastructure of existing schools, and help make Woodbridge the model for academic success.

Supervisor Franklin’s Accomplishments:

  • Helped to secure additional funding during COVID-19 for technology and Personal Protection Equipment for teachers and students.

  • Supported the FY 2021 budget that included an increase in school funding.

  • Working to support equitable boundary lines for the new Potomac Shores Middle School.

  • Working to build a new elementary school.

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REACHING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Prince William County is a diverse county with many needs. Our goal and efforts must go towards empowering and serving those communities most in need. This means implementing policies that benefit marginalized communities.

Supervisor Franklin’s Accomplishments:

  • Directed the county to establish a Racial Justice Commission to help promote dialogue about systemic racial issues along with diversity and cultural issues throughout our nation and within Prince William County.

  • Advocated for Prince William County to implement a rent and utility assistance program in response to the COVID-19 evictions that hit our most vulnerable and underserved communities the hardest.

  • Introduced a resolution to rename Jefferson Davis Highway. We cannot continue to allow Confederate names to be memorialized and must work towards an inclusive county reflective of our values.

  • Promoted policies to protect immigrant communities throughout Prince William County.

  • Led the county effort, along with local advocates, to help eliminate school meal debt that disproportionately impacts our minority students and families.

  • Created an Environmental Sustainability Commission to help promote sound environmental policies throughout Prince William County by guaranteeing that underserved communities are not negatively impacted by unjust environmental problems. 

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