The 2024 Leadership Franklin-Simpson Class was a collaboration between the Simpson County Extension Service and the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce. Leadership is an intensive program designed to help participants strengthen their leadership abilities by learning more about themselves, the community, and networking with others in their class. The program took seven days over seven months where participants spent time out in the community learning. At the conclusion of Leadership Franklin-Simpson the class is responsible for developing and implementing a community project. The opening session helped everyone get to know one another and focused on participants discovering their own personality types and leadership traits. In the following sessions, the class traveled around Franklin to learn about business & industry, agriculture, local government, health systems, education, and non-profit organizations. The program closed with a graduation ceremony. Several former leadership graduates served as facilitators of the various educational days. Sixteen individuals participated in the 2024 Leadership Franklin-Simpson. Based on surveys at the conclusion of the program 100% of respondents indicated that they have an increased understanding of their leadership style. 100% gained confidence in their overall leadership abilities and ways in which they interact with others. 100% also indicated that they plan to pursue some type of additional leadership role in the future. One participant stated, “The connections made will allow me to become integrated into a community that I fell in love with during my time with the program.”  Another participant wrote, “It was incredibly helpful to learn not only how our community work but also what it needs as it grows.” The class recently made a presentation to the Franklin City Commission and is currently developing plans to implement a community splash pad and pavilion in the downtown area as their class project.