EC-AnnualReport-2026

Public Power Impact Report

2025 A publication of ElectriCities of North Carolina’s Economic Development team

Marketing and Lead Generation In 2025, the ElectriCities Economic Development team sustained a strong in person marketing program, engaging with industry leaders, developers, and site selection consultants across the United States and Europe. These activities anchored the organization’s business development strategy, generating new leads in key sectors such as aerospace and aviation, life sciences, agricultural technology, electronics, energy, logistics, accommodations, and retail.

19

6

4

TRADE SHOWS ATTENDED

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS

SITE SELECTOR CONNECTION EVENTS

Lead Generation Events by Country and City Sacramento Boston Chicago New York Newark

201

47

NEW CORPORATE CONTACTS

TOTAL LEADS GENERATED

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Los Angeles Anaheim

Las Vegas

Columbus Indianapolis Charlotte

Washington, DC Raleigh Pinehurst Myrtle Beach

Atlanta

Santiago de Compostela

Hannover Barcelona

SPAIN

Salamanca

GERMANY

Frankfurt

2

3

Marketing and Lead Generation In 2025, the ElectriCities Economic Development team sustained a strong in person marketing program, engaging with industry leaders, developers, and site selection consultants across the United States and Europe. These activities anchored the organization’s business development strategy, generating new leads in key sectors such as aerospace and aviation, life sciences, agricultural technology, electronics, energy, logistics, accommodations, and retail.

19

6

4

TRADE SHOWS ATTENDED

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS

SITE SELECTOR CONNECTION EVENTS

Lead Generation Events by Country and City Sacramento Boston Chicago New York Newark

201

47

NEW CORPORATE CONTACTS

TOTAL LEADS GENERATED

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Los Angeles Anaheim

Las Vegas

Columbus Indianapolis Charlotte

Washington, DC Raleigh Pinehurst Myrtle Beach

Atlanta

Santiago de Compostela

Hannover Barcelona

SPAIN

Salamanca

GERMANY

Frankfurt

2

3

Strategic Member Support

Economic Development Excellent Awards WINNING COMMUNITIES & PROJECTS

In 2025, ElectriCities expanded the tools and expertise available to public power communities while continuing to deliver the core services members rely on. The team broadened its site development support with new power delivery and shell building feasibility analyses, and strengthened downtown redevelopment assistance through building reuse evaluations and small area redevelopment planning. These enhanced offerings provided members with deeper insights to guide industrial, commercial, and community‑focused growth. Longstanding services—such as grant funding, technical assistance, and development‑oriented connections—remained central to helping communities pursue new opportunities.

To further highlight member achievements, ElectriCities introduced the Economic Development Excellence Awards, recognizing innovation, collaboration, and forward‑looking leadership across North Carolina’s public power communities.

INNOVATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COLLABORATIVE IMPACT AWARD LUMBERTON, SOUTHEAST CROSSROADS INDUSTRIAL PARK

ALBEMARLE, DOWNTOWN CATALYST GRANT PROGRAM

HORIZONS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILSON, CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE Carolina Poultry Power

Funding Awards

9 4

FEASIBILITY STUDIES COMPLETED

11

10

SMART COMMUNITY GRANTS

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION GRANTS

15

ELECTRIC TERRITORIAL DETERMINATIONS MADE

215

MEMBER PROJECT CONSULTS

13

STRATEGIC MEMBER ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

8

MEMBER EDUCATION EVENTS

5

Strategic Member Support

Economic Development Excellent Awards WINNING COMMUNITIES & PROJECTS

In 2025, ElectriCities expanded the tools and expertise available to public power communities while continuing to deliver the core services members rely on. The team broadened its site development support with new power delivery and shell building feasibility analyses, and strengthened downtown redevelopment assistance through building reuse evaluations and small area redevelopment planning. These enhanced offerings provided members with deeper insights to guide industrial, commercial, and community‑focused growth. Longstanding services—such as grant funding, technical assistance, and development‑oriented connections—remained central to helping communities pursue new opportunities.

To further highlight member achievements, ElectriCities introduced the Economic Development Excellence Awards, recognizing innovation, collaboration, and forward‑looking leadership across North Carolina’s public power communities.

INNOVATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COLLABORATIVE IMPACT AWARD LUMBERTON, SOUTHEAST CROSSROADS INDUSTRIAL PARK

ALBEMARLE, DOWNTOWN CATALYST GRANT PROGRAM

HORIZONS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILSON, CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE Carolina Poultry Power

Funding Awards

9 4

FEASIBILITY STUDIES COMPLETED

11

10

SMART COMMUNITY GRANTS

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION GRANTS

15

ELECTRIC TERRITORIAL DETERMINATIONS MADE

215

MEMBER PROJECT CONSULTS

13

STRATEGIC MEMBER ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

8

MEMBER EDUCATION EVENTS

5

Site Development ElectriCities continued its work to prepare competitive industrial sites across public power communities, advancing both certification and early‑stage site identification efforts. The Smart Sites program certified 634 new acres at Wilson’s Innovation Park, expanding the inventory of development ready land available for industrial prospects. Communities also saw continued momentum in project activity, with 55 acres sold in Lumberton and 62 acres sold in Shelby for industrial development.

Through the Site Assist program, five additional sites were uncovered for potential future development, including a 1,440 acre opportunity in Tarboro. Together, these efforts enhanced the pipeline of competitive sites that position North Carolina’s public power communities for long term economic growth.

AVAILABLE NEW ENTIRELY SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT

Smart Assist

5 NEW SITES WITH POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE

PARTIALLY SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT

SMART SITES BY STATUS, 2025

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS UNCOVERED

• Tarboro: 1,440 acres ELIZABETH CITY

Smart Sites®

HERTFORD

2,547 TOTAL ACRES AVAILABLE 22 AVAILABLE SITES

LOUISBURG WAKE FOREST

ROCKY MOUNT TARBORO

DREXEL WILSON

MORGANTON SELMA ALBEMARLE

MONROE

5 6

LAURINBURG

NEW SITES UNCOVERED

E BL NT LA LD ME T AI SO P Y LO OLD EN AV W EL E S M NE TIR DEV LY OP L L EN R IA VE FO RT DE PA OR F

CHERRYVILLE SHELBY

FARMVILLE

GREENVILLE AYDEN

WASHINGTON

NEW BERN

LUMBERTON

7

Site Development ElectriCities continued its work to prepare competitive industrial sites across public power communities, advancing both certification and early‑stage site identification efforts. The Smart Sites program certified 634 new acres at Wilson’s Innovation Park, expanding the inventory of development ready land available for industrial prospects. Communities also saw continued momentum in project activity, with 55 acres sold in Lumberton and 62 acres sold in Shelby for industrial development.

Through the Site Assist program, five additional sites were uncovered for potential future development, including a 1,440 acre opportunity in Tarboro. Together, these efforts enhanced the pipeline of competitive sites that position North Carolina’s public power communities for long term economic growth.

AVAILABLE NEW ENTIRELY SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT

Smart Assist

5 NEW SITES WITH POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE

PARTIALLY SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT

SMART SITES BY STATUS, 2025

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS UNCOVERED

• Tarboro: 1,440 acres ELIZABETH CITY

Smart Sites®

HERTFORD

2,547 TOTAL ACRES AVAILABLE 22 AVAILABLE SITES

LOUISBURG WAKE FOREST

ROCKY MOUNT TARBORO

DREXEL WILSON

MORGANTON SELMA ALBEMARLE

MONROE

5 6

LAURINBURG

NEW SITES UNCOVERED

E BL NT LA LD ME T AI SO P Y LO OLD EN AV W EL E S M NE TIR DEV LY OP L L EN R IA VE FO RT DE PA OR F

CHERRYVILLE SHELBY

FARMVILLE

GREENVILLE AYDEN

WASHINGTON

NEW BERN

LUMBERTON

7

Project Activity Public power communities continued to demonstrate strong economic momentum in 2025, with new industrial and commercial projects announced across North Carolina. Collectively, public power communities reported more than 3,900 new jobs and over $3.38 billion in investment. The ElectriCities Economic Development team supported a robust pipeline of 51 active projects and 12 project visits, working closely with state, regional, and local partners to advance opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, retail, aerospace, technology, and more. These projects reflect the continued strength of North Carolina’s public power communities and ElectriCities’ role in helping attract investment that drives long‑term economic growth.

Projects by Industry Aerospace/ Aviation Textiles

2%

New Announced Jobs & Investment Other

NCEMPA

NCMPA1

Non-Power Agency

1,295 JOBS

1,552 JOBS

1,085 JOBS

$868.1 M

$2.02 B

$494.71 M

INVESTMENT

INVESTMENT

INVESTMENT

20%

51

12

TOTAL PROJECTS

PROJECT VISITS

Automotive

8%

Bio Pharma

6%

Food & Beverage

Chemicals / Plastics / Composites

7%

Project Pipeline

6%

9%

Energy

2%

Electronics

Commercial Services/Retail

9%

Construction Materials

24%

7%

8

9

Project Activity Public power communities continued to demonstrate strong economic momentum in 2025, with new industrial and commercial projects announced across North Carolina. Collectively, public power communities reported more than 3,900 new jobs and over $3.38 billion in investment. The ElectriCities Economic Development team supported a robust pipeline of 51 active projects and 12 project visits, working closely with state, regional, and local partners to advance opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, retail, aerospace, technology, and more. These projects reflect the continued strength of North Carolina’s public power communities and ElectriCities’ role in helping attract investment that drives long‑term economic growth.

Projects by Industry Aerospace/ Aviation Textiles

2%

New Announced Jobs & Investment Other

NCEMPA

NCMPA1

Non-Power Agency

1,295 JOBS

1,552 JOBS

1,085 JOBS

$868.1 M

$2.02 B

$494.71 M

INVESTMENT

INVESTMENT

INVESTMENT

20%

51

12

TOTAL PROJECTS

PROJECT VISITS

Automotive

8%

Bio Pharma

6%

Food & Beverage

Chemicals / Plastics / Composites

7%

Project Pipeline

6%

9%

Energy

2%

Electronics

Commercial Services/Retail

9%

Construction Materials

24%

7%

8

9

NC Public Power Communities in Growth Mode

INDUSTRIAL

TECHNOLOGY OUTSOURCING FIRM ESTABLISHES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN EDENTON

CANADIAN MANUFACTURER LOCATES U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN KINSTON

In February, information technology firm, Provalus, announced that it would establish a new operation in Edenton, investing $6.48 million and creating 61 new jobs. With support from ElectriCities and the Town of Edenton, the company plans to upfit a former downtown-based retail store to establish its technology outsourcing Center of Excellence.

In October, Canadian-based Cardon Rehabilitation & Medical Equipment announced that it would establish a U.S. headquarters and new manufacturing facility in Kinston. The company, a manufacturer of custom motorized clinical treatment tables and fitness equipment, will invest more than $4 million and create 20 new jobs at the location. ElectriCities provided support duri hase of this project.

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY SUPPLIER LANDS IN SHELBY “ElectriCities was an integral economic development partner in recruiting PPG to Shelby, NC. ElectriCities was involved in every facet of the project but specifically helped in hosting the client during site visits, evaluating competing locations’ value propositions, and hosting the announcement. Our community and economic development team could not ask for a better partner!”

PPG, a global supplier of paints, coatings and other specialty materials to the aerospace industry, announced in May that it would invest $380 million to establish a new manufacturing center in the state. The company selected an ElectriCities-certified Smart Site in Shelby to house the new operation, which is expected to staff 110 employees.

REVITALIZATION BRINGS NEW RETAILER TO EDENTON The Town of Edenton, along with business officials, announced the grand opening of Tractor Supply at Edenton Village Shopping Center in September. The farm and garden supply retailer is the first business to move into the largely vacant shopping center since new owners began renovation efforts. The store currently employs just over 20 staff.

ElectriCities provided initial support by convening stakeholders needed to move the project forward.

BRANDON RUPPE Economic Developer, Town of Shelby

THE INDUSTRIAL COMMONS EXPANDS WITH INNOVATION CAMPUS GROUNDBREAKING IN MORGANTON In June, The Industrial Commons broke ground on the first building at its Innovation Campus. The new development, a 43,000-square-foot facility known as The Accelerator, will house small-scall businesses focused on textile and furniture manufacturing. ElectriCities has been a longtime supporter of The Industrial Commons by sourcing environmental cleanup resources, providing specialized energy expertise, and identifying significant financing opportunities to advance project development.

AYDEN RAIL INDUSTRIAL PARK GAINS ITS FIRST OCCUPANT In April, Eagle Rock Concrete celebrated the grand opening of its new concrete production facility in Ayden. The company is the first to establish an operation at Ayden Industrial Park – a 370+-acre rail-served ElectriCitiescertified Smart Site. This announcement represents $15 million of investment and 20 jobs.

LUMBERTON WINS COLD STORAGE LOGISTICS COMPANY Cold-link Logistics, a third-party cold storage logistics company, announced in February that it would establish a new state of the art cold storage facility in Lumberton and hire 123 workers to staff it. The company will invest $85 million to build a 233,000-square-foot temperature-controlled facility serving prominent food businesses in North Carolina and the Southeast, including the poultry industry. The company will build on 55 acres in the Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park – an ElectriCities-certified Smart Site.

FARMVILLE ATTRACTS NATIONAL FARM AND GARDEN SUPPLY STORE Farmville is home to a new Tractor Supply store as of November. The retailer located in the Town’s Brightleaf Shopping Center, bringing occupancy to 100% for the first time in over three decades. ElectriCities provided earlystage support by facilitating critical stakeholder connections needed to advance the project’s infrastructure requirements.

COMMERCIAL “ElectriCities has been a critical partner in our work across North Carolina.

We have projects in the state that may have never happened, including a recent commercial redevelopment in Lumberton, without their partnership and support.”

JOE MAGUIRE Principal, Carolina Commercial

NEW AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE AND TIRE OPERATION OPENS IN LAURINBURG Mavis Tire, an automotive service and tire retailer, opened a new service location in Laurinburg in December. This storefront represents the newest tenant of a redevelopment that formerly housed the Scotland Inn Hotel.

Hobby Lobby was first to announce at the site in 2024, with room for two additional tenants. ElectriCities provided support on both the recruitment and incentive phases of this redevelopment effort.

10

11

NC Public Power Communities in Growth Mode

INDUSTRIAL

TECHNOLOGY OUTSOURCING FIRM ESTABLISHES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN EDENTON

CANADIAN MANUFACTURER LOCATES U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN KINSTON

In February, information technology firm, Provalus, announced that it would establish a new operation in Edenton, investing $6.48 million and creating 61 new jobs. With support from ElectriCities and the Town of Edenton, the company plans to upfit a former downtown-based retail store to establish its technology outsourcing Center of Excellence.

In October, Canadian-based Cardon Rehabilitation & Medical Equipment announced that it would establish a U.S. headquarters and new manufacturing facility in Kinston. The company, a manufacturer of custom motorized clinical treatment tables and fitness equipment, will invest more than $4 million and create 20 new jobs at the location. ElectriCities provided support duri hase of this project.

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY SUPPLIER LANDS IN SHELBY “ElectriCities was an integral economic development partner in recruiting PPG to Shelby, NC. ElectriCities was involved in every facet of the project but specifically helped in hosting the client during site visits, evaluating competing locations’ value propositions, and hosting the announcement. Our community and economic development team could not ask for a better partner!”

PPG, a global supplier of paints, coatings and other specialty materials to the aerospace industry, announced in May that it would invest $380 million to establish a new manufacturing center in the state. The company selected an ElectriCities-certified Smart Site in Shelby to house the new operation, which is expected to staff 110 employees.

REVITALIZATION BRINGS NEW RETAILER TO EDENTON The Town of Edenton, along with business officials, announced the grand opening of Tractor Supply at Edenton Village Shopping Center in September. The farm and garden supply retailer is the first business to move into the largely vacant shopping center since new owners began renovation efforts. The store currently employs just over 20 staff.

ElectriCities provided initial support by convening stakeholders needed to move the project forward.

BRANDON RUPPE Economic Developer, Town of Shelby

THE INDUSTRIAL COMMONS EXPANDS WITH INNOVATION CAMPUS GROUNDBREAKING IN MORGANTON In June, The Industrial Commons broke ground on the first building at its Innovation Campus. The new development, a 43,000-square-foot facility known as The Accelerator, will house small-scall businesses focused on textile and furniture manufacturing. ElectriCities has been a longtime supporter of The Industrial Commons by sourcing environmental cleanup resources, providing specialized energy expertise, and identifying significant financing opportunities to advance project development.

AYDEN RAIL INDUSTRIAL PARK GAINS ITS FIRST OCCUPANT In April, Eagle Rock Concrete celebrated the grand opening of its new concrete production facility in Ayden. The company is the first to establish an operation at Ayden Industrial Park – a 370+-acre rail-served ElectriCitiescertified Smart Site. This announcement represents $15 million of investment and 20 jobs.

LUMBERTON WINS COLD STORAGE LOGISTICS COMPANY Cold-link Logistics, a third-party cold storage logistics company, announced in February that it would establish a new state of the art cold storage facility in Lumberton and hire 123 workers to staff it. The company will invest $85 million to build a 233,000-square-foot temperature-controlled facility serving prominent food businesses in North Carolina and the Southeast, including the poultry industry. The company will build on 55 acres in the Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park – an ElectriCities-certified Smart Site.

FARMVILLE ATTRACTS NATIONAL FARM AND GARDEN SUPPLY STORE Farmville is home to a new Tractor Supply store as of November. The retailer located in the Town’s Brightleaf Shopping Center, bringing occupancy to 100% for the first time in over three decades. ElectriCities provided earlystage support by facilitating critical stakeholder connections needed to advance the project’s infrastructure requirements.

COMMERCIAL “ElectriCities has been a critical partner in our work across North Carolina.

We have projects in the state that may have never happened, including a recent commercial redevelopment in Lumberton, without their partnership and support.”

JOE MAGUIRE Principal, Carolina Commercial

NEW AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE AND TIRE OPERATION OPENS IN LAURINBURG Mavis Tire, an automotive service and tire retailer, opened a new service location in Laurinburg in December. This storefront represents the newest tenant of a redevelopment that formerly housed the Scotland Inn Hotel.

Hobby Lobby was first to announce at the site in 2024, with room for two additional tenants. ElectriCities provided support on both the recruitment and incentive phases of this redevelopment effort.

10

11

MEMBER MAP 17 77

95

Boone-New River Light & Power

421 40

64 Morganton

Waynesville

Drexel

Granite Falls

Asheville

40 26

Western Carolina University

Newton Maiden Lincolnton

Statesville

70

85

Landis

Cornelius Concord Cherryville Forest City Dallas Huntersville Shelby Gastonia Kings Mountain Bostic

Charlotte

64

Elizabeth City Elizabeth City State University Hertford Enfield Scotland Neck Louisburg Edenton Hobgood Windsor High Point Rocky Mount Wake Hamilton 64 70Forest UNC-Chapel Hill Tarboro Sharpsburg Lexington Robersonville Pinetops North Carolina 264 Wilson Macclesfield Greenville Utilities Commission State University 64 Apex Fountain Lucama East Carolina University Clayton Stantonsburg Farmville Selma Fremont Winterville Washington Belhaven Walstonburg 421 Smithfield Pikeville Ayden Hookerton Benson Albemarle La Grange Kinston

85

Raleigh

Monroe

70

95

Pineville

74

264

New Bern

Fayetteville PWC

40 Red Springs Laurinburg

17

Lumberton

421

NCMPA1 Participants NCEMPA Participants Non-Power Agency Members Associate Members

74

Wilmington 17 Southport

About ElectriCities

OUR PURPOSE

ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, Carolina, Virginia—collectively as publicthrough power. ElectriCities DeliverSouth value to ourand communities and known customers collective strength, manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical knowledge, action while promoting a successful future services to assistand members in operating their electric distribution systems.

ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.

12

13

MEMBER MAP 17 77

95

Boone-New River Light & Power

421 40

64 Morganton

Waynesville

Drexel

Granite Falls

Asheville

40 26

Western Carolina University

Newton Maiden Lincolnton

Statesville

70

85

Landis

Cornelius Concord Cherryville Forest City Dallas Huntersville Shelby Gastonia Kings Mountain Bostic

Charlotte

64

Elizabeth City Elizabeth City State University Hertford Enfield Scotland Neck Louisburg Edenton Hobgood Windsor High Point Rocky Mount Wake Hamilton 64 70Forest UNC-Chapel Hill Tarboro Sharpsburg Lexington Robersonville Pinetops North Carolina 264 Wilson Macclesfield Greenville Utilities Commission State University 64 Apex Fountain Lucama East Carolina University Clayton Stantonsburg Farmville Selma Fremont Winterville Washington Belhaven Walstonburg 421 Smithfield Pikeville Ayden Hookerton Benson Albemarle La Grange Kinston

85

Raleigh

Monroe

70

95

Pineville

74

264

New Bern

Fayetteville PWC

40 Red Springs Laurinburg

17

Lumberton

421

NCMPA1 Participants NCEMPA Participants Non-Power Agency Members Associate Members

74

Wilmington 17 Southport

About ElectriCities

OUR PURPOSE

ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, Carolina, Virginia—collectively as publicthrough power. ElectriCities DeliverSouth value to ourand communities and known customers collective strength, manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical knowledge, action while promoting a successful future services to assistand members in operating their electric distribution systems.

ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.

12

13

Economic Development Staff

CARL REES, CEcD

AUDREY BOONE

MANAGER, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER

crees@electricities.org

aboone@electricities.org

Carl leads ElectriCities’ economic development team, guiding the key initiatives that assist North Carolina’s public power communities with both economic and electric load growth. He regularly leads and assists with industrial and commercial projects across the state and serves as the point-of-contact for downtown-centric programs and electric territorial determinations.

Audrey is a Senior Economic Developer focusing on industrial economic development projects in NCEMPA communities.

In addition, she leads the organization’s Site Assist program, identifying raw acreage across member communities that have future industrial development potential.

KELLY BAKER

JENNINGS GRAY

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYST

LEAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPER

kbaker@electricities.org

jgray@electricities.org

Kelly provides support for the team’s data management efforts, as well as both internal and member-driven research support needs. These include researching competitive advantages, managing data platforms, and collaborating with internal teams to track metrics and report on progress toward strategic goals.

Jennings is a Lead Economic Developer with a focus on commercial development. In his role, he primarily supports NCMPA1 member communities, including many downtown development organizations, to create, enhance, and implement their retail recruitment strategy.

CASEY VERBURG, CEcD SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER cverburg@electricities.org In Casey’s capacity as a Senior Economic Developer, she supports NCMPA1 communities on industrial economic development projects.

She is the lead point-of-contact for ElectriCities’ Smart Sites program, a shovel-ready certification initiative, and for the Smart Communities Grant, which provides funding to member communities in support of retail, commercial, and industrial business recruitment and retention.

Thank You to Our Partners!

In addition to our many statewide, regional, local, and private sector economic development allies all across North Carolina, we extend a heartfelt thanks to our partners whose expertise and collaboration were essential to delivering ElectriCities’ economic development program of services and to achieving economic success for our members in 2025.

Arco Design/Build

Hickey Global

NaviRetail

CBRE Valuation and Advisory Services

The Innovate Fund

O’BrienAdkins

Creative Economic Development Consulting

Kalibrate

PM&P

Maynard Nexsen

Research On Investment

McGuire Woods Consulting

Stantec

m.e.designlab

Vessel Global

The East Group ECS 14

Mauer Architecture 15

Economic Development Staff

CARL REES, CEcD

AUDREY BOONE

MANAGER, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER

crees@electricities.org

aboone@electricities.org

Carl leads ElectriCities’ economic development team, guiding the key initiatives that assist North Carolina’s public power communities with both economic and electric load growth. He regularly leads and assists with industrial and commercial projects across the state and serves as the point-of-contact for downtown-centric programs and electric territorial determinations.

Audrey is a Senior Economic Developer focusing on industrial economic development projects in NCEMPA communities.

In addition, she leads the organization’s Site Assist program, identifying raw acreage across member communities that have future industrial development potential.

KELLY BAKER

JENNINGS GRAY

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYST

LEAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPER

kbaker@electricities.org

jgray@electricities.org

Kelly provides support for the team’s data management efforts, as well as both internal and member-driven research support needs. These include researching competitive advantages, managing data platforms, and collaborating with internal teams to track metrics and report on progress toward strategic goals.

Jennings is a Lead Economic Developer with a focus on commercial development. In his role, he primarily supports NCMPA1 member communities, including many downtown development organizations, to create, enhance, and implement their retail recruitment strategy.

CASEY VERBURG, CEcD SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER cverburg@electricities.org In Casey’s capacity as a Senior Economic Developer, she supports NCMPA1 communities on industrial economic development projects.

She is the lead point-of-contact for ElectriCities’ Smart Sites program, a shovel-ready certification initiative, and for the Smart Communities Grant, which provides funding to member communities in support of retail, commercial, and industrial business recruitment and retention.

Thank You to Our Partners!

In addition to our many statewide, regional, local, and private sector economic development allies all across North Carolina, we extend a heartfelt thanks to our partners whose expertise and collaboration were essential to delivering ElectriCities’ economic development program of services and to achieving economic success for our members in 2025.

Arco Design/Build

Hickey Global

NaviRetail

CBRE Valuation and Advisory Services

The Innovate Fund

O’BrienAdkins

Creative Economic Development Consulting

Kalibrate

PM&P

Maynard Nexsen

Research On Investment

McGuire Woods Consulting

Stantec

m.e.designlab

Vessel Global

The East Group ECS 14

Mauer Architecture 15

ElectriCities of NC, Inc. 1427 Meadow Wood Blvd Raleigh, NC 27604 919.760.6000 www.ElectriCities.com/EconDev