Award Winning Businesses

Smith Midland’s entrepreneurial spirit has been at the center of the company’s culture since its founding. Wrapped around those core values is a passion for their people and customers. They encourage their Associates to learn and grow and provide them with the foundation for their success. At the end of the day, they are builders, whose goal is to contribute to the world around them by constructing a safer, more resilient world while enriching the lives of their Associates and the communities where they live and do business.

They are a community-based company. And because most of their Associates have deep roots in the places where they operate, they encourage them to play an active role in supporting local nonprofit organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, schools, arts associations and service groups. Smith-Midland backs up this commitment with financial support to a variety of nonprofits with a goal of contributing to the health and well-being of our fellow citizens.

Their list of award-winning projects civic accolades is long and spans the decades, but they are most proud of the individuals who make those awards possible. Each award earned symbolizes the pride in craftsmanship, attention to detail and commitment to excellence that Smith Midland Associates bring to work every day and this year’s recognition as Large Business of the Year was earned for those exact same reasons.

We are fortunate that within our community we have a war hero, entrepreneur, public servant, and civic leader all rolled into one— Jim Rankin.

His family lived and farmed in Bealeton when he was born in 1931 and in 1951, he volunteered for the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He thought it was his duty to serve, following in his father’s footsteps, who was a decorated soldier fighting in France during World War I, a Silver Star recipient as well as Italian War Cross and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2015 his father’s memory was honored when the Meetze Road Bridge over Route 29 was renamed PFC Clay Preston Rankin, USA Bridge.

In January 1966, Jim struck out on his own in the hardware business, establishing Rankin’s True Value Hardware at the Warrenton Northern Virginia Shopping Center and in 1979, his success allowed him to expand his business to a larger location in the same shopping center.

Over time, he expanded his business further and in 1992, he branched out even further by opening the furniture store selling high quality furniture.

In 1984, Rankin entered public service and was elected to the County Board of Supervisors where he served through 1992. Despite running businesses and serving as a county supervisor, he somehow found time to help “Improve the Quality of Life for all Fauquier Citizens” for which he received an award from the Department of Parks and Recreation. He is a Life Member of the U.S. Jaycees. He helped to establish the local American Legion Post and has served as the Commander during his time as a member. He has received awards from the national American Legion for his contributions and formal recognition from the Rotary Club, Liberty and Fauquier High Schools, County Parks and Recreation, as well as numerous Little League baseball teams that he has sponsored. In addition, he has remained an active leader in the work of Midland Brethren Church. Jim is clearly a leader within the small business community and along with his extensive and committed service to our community, it is my honor to announce Jim Rankin as the 2022 Business Person of the Year.