One doesn’t have to be around Larry Franklin very long to know that he is sold on Moultrie and Colquitt County. In fact, he has moved his headquarters of Larry Franklin Properties, Inc. from Jacksonville, Florida to Moultrie where he has already made investments exceeding $10 million.

Franklin originally bought Center Towne Apartments (now Arts Center Apartments) with the idea of renovating and reselling the property. “And once I got here, I saw other opportunities,” says Franklin.

And indeed, two years later Franklin’s property holdings are many with many more in mind still, including property just off of Hwy 319 to begin Moultrie’s very first gated community with approximately 220 new affordable homes.

His most recent purchase is the former Wilvereen Plant on West Boulevard. With all of Riverside’s current personnel already combined into their main facility, Franklin is optimistic about getting a new industry into this location to offer more jobs to the people of Moultrie.

Early in his visits to Moultrie, Franklin fell in love with the old Bud Vereen home on South Main Street which he purchased and spent about 8 months renovating. People come to visit the home and have one common remark: “It feels comfortable.”

Franklin got his start in renovating properties when as a youngster he worked with his uncle, who was a contractor in North Carolina. He grew up on Grandfather’s Mountain, NC, one of nine children. “We had a very modest upbringing,” says Franklin, “but one rich with values.” He joined the Navy and his last station was in Jacksonville. There he did some moonlighting renovating apartment buildings. And as soon as he got out of the Navy, he went into it full time, now owning numerous properties in North Florida.

“I want to help Moultrie grow,” says Franklin.

His service to the community is not limited to investments in properties. He is also serving on the United Way of Colquitt County Board of Directors as well as the Chamber of Commerce Board. Our company also fields a team each year on Relay for Life.

He continues daily looking for ways to improve not only Moultrie, but surrounding South Georgia Counties.