Franklin County North Carolina Economic Development

She has served as the Protocol Advisor to the Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, taught university courses in international business and marketing in Florida, and managed high-value projects as the Region 2 Senior Project Manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, driving over
$841 million in new investment and creating more than 1,000 jobs across 13 counties. Barbara has also served as the Assistant Director of Economic Development for Danville, VA, and was the first Economic Development Manager for Palm Coast, FL, where she launched the city’s Office of Economic Development.

She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Miami and a Bachelor’s from the University of South Florida, is certified in Diplomatic and International Protocol, and is a candidate for IEDC Certified Economic Developer. In her free time, Barbara enjoys spending time with her three adult children, playing tennis, antiquing, and horseback riding.

Before her current position, Zimmerman served as Downtown Development Director and Executive Director of the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, where she strengthened business recruitment and retention efforts, led policy initiatives, and spearheaded large-scale community events. With a strong foundation in marketing, communications, and outreach, she excels at connecting businesses with opportunities and resources. Zimmerman holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and a dual Master of Arts in International Administration & Conflict Management from UNC Greensboro and the University of Konstanz, Germany. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops and spending time with her husband, three dogs, and cat.

Allen served as Tourism Development Director for Granville County, where she led strategic marketing initiatives, cultivated community partnerships, and promoted the county as a destination for visitors and events. Her work earned multiple state and regional tourism marketing awards, including recognition from the North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA).

Allen believes every community has a unique story to tell. In her role, she is passionate about working alongside existing businesses, tourism partners, and local leaders to celebrate Franklin County's assets, support business growth, and create experiences that encourage visitors to explore, invest, and return.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a graduate of the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College, earning the designation of Travel Marketing Professional (TMP). Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and friends, exploring local festivals, live music and small towns, and discovering the unique places and people that make every community special.