Franklin County, Va. - Franklin County has been awarded $607,968 in federal funding to support critical radio system upgrades for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). The funding will be used to replace aging portable and mobile radios that are essential to daily law enforcement operations and officer safety.
The funding request process began in April 2024, when Franklin County staff-initiated conversations with the office of Congressman Morgan Griffith regarding the need for public safety communications improvements. Following additional coordination and refinement, the request was modified and resubmitted in April 2025, with amendments specifically addressing the operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office. While the funding has been signed into law, the County is currently completing final technical steps required to fully solidify the award through the U.S. Department of Justice’s criminal justice grant program.
U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) secured federal funding in the commerce, justice, and science appropriations bill.
Once the funds are fully received, Franklin County anticipates that the radio upgrade project will be executed and completed within approximately 12 months. Successful implementation will require close coordination among the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, County Fleet Maintenance vendors, and the County’s radio supplier, Motorola. The project scope includes the installation and transition of new radios in all Sheriff’s Office vehicles, along with associated system components necessary to ensure a seamless upgrade.
Upon completion, the County expects several significant benefits to county services, foremost among them enhanced officer safety. Replacing outdated radios with modern, reliable equipment will remove a key point of instability in the public safety communications system. In addition, the upgraded technology will allow Franklin County to expand system features and improve interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions, strengthening coordinated responses during emergencies and multi-agency operations.
Franklin County remains committed to investing in critical infrastructure that supports public safety and ensures that deputies have the reliable tools they need to serve and protect the community.