A Tribute to Community: The Enduring Legacy of Franklin County’s Annual Business Supplement

Franklin County’s annual Business Community supplement is a unique piece of history that brings back memories and honors the community’s past. In today’s digital age, photo albums may seem outdated, but they hold a special place in our hearts. On special occasions like holidays and anniversaries, these albums are pulled from the shelf and old family pictures bring back warm memories.

The supplement has been around for two generations and is celebrating its 42nd edition this May. Over the past four decades, it has likely been seen by the majority of Franklin County’s 23,000 households. The idea to showcase the energy, creativity, and commerce that drives the local economy was initiated by former Messenger editor and co-publisher Emerson Lynn in 1983.

The first edition was an immediate hit among readers who loved seeing pictures of their friends and favorite businesses. It quickly became the Messenger’s premier product and was even adopted by other newspapers in the state for their communities. Jim O’Rourke took over ownership of the Messenger in 2018 and continued the tradition of publishing the supplement. In 2020, the format was changed to a high-quality all-color magazine format that added even more vibrancy to its pages.

Despite having quick business search options available on platforms like Google or Yelp, the Franklin County Business Community supplement remains relevant in 2024. There is something special about holding this album in your hands and flipping through its pages to see the people and businesses that make up your community’s family tree. O’Rourke emphasized that recognizing local businesses and their employees throughout Franklin County is truly impressive after 42 years of publication.