LAURINBURG — Laurinburg could land another option for dining or shopping with help from the city’s electricity supplier.

ElectriCities, who supplies Laurinburg with wholesale power, is helping to attract businesses while working with the city’s re-branding efforts.

“By helping us bring in businesses, ElectriCities is helping themselves by potentially selling more energy to the area,” City Manager Charles Nichols said. Laurinburg is not having to pay for the additional branding and economic services the electric wholesaler is providing.

In January, Electricities, along with a Charlotte-based developer told the Laurinburg City Council that a site next Food Lion in Scotland Crossing would be ideal.

“We can only state that there are several interested parties that range from a grocer, restaurants — fast food and fast casual — clothing and sports-related retailers,” said Brenda Daniels, ElectriCities economic development manager.

The property’s appeal is its location next to US 74.

However, it is not just the location that needs to meet the certain criteria of potential retailers. Average household incomes, as well as the amount of traffic passing through Laurinburg will be factors in who decides to open up for business in this community.

“We have had multiple individuals come out and look at the property,” Nichols said.

Steven Hankins, Hankins Properties commercial real estate developer working with the city, past business developments have included Cracker Barrel, Outback Steak House, Mellow Mushroom and Jimmy John’s.

With these types of developments “we tend to bring in various stores, restaurants, fast food or casual sit down restaurants, hotels — just a kind of mixed use property,” Hankins said.

The power wholesaler started working with it members to help with economic development after they realized by helping the economies of their member cities, their business would increase the amount of energy they can sell, according to Nichols.

According to ElectriCities, one in four jobs are in retail and $42 million jobs are supported by the retail sector in America.

New logo

Agency is also working with the city to develop a new logo and website to help re-brand.

During the February Laurinburg City Council meeting, Edward Robert of ElectriCities gave an update on the city logo and website. Council members voted for one of two logos which were presented.

The new logo portrays three trees above “Laurinburg,” which is spelled in a Celtic style typography.

“We are a tree city, so I liked the one with the trees,” said council member Curtis Leak.

Laurinburg is a participant in the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA), which is a municipally-owned and operated electric service. There are more than 70 communities in North Carolina that serve over 500,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. These communities are collectively known as NC Public Power.

NCEMPA consists of 32 cities and towns in eastern North Carolina, including some of the largest cities in the region, that own and operate their electric systems. NCEMPA was formed in 1982 and provides wholesale power to its 32 Participants, according to ElectriCities.

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By Nolan Gilmour

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Reach Nolan Gilmour at 910-506-3171