From ElectriCities

RALEIGH — A leading economic development and site selection magazine has named ElectriCities of North Carolina one of the nation’s Top 20 Utilities.

Business Facilities, a magazine that focuses on economic development and site selection news, publishes an annual list of leading utilities that excel in providing economic development support, low-cost energy and infrastructure.

“Promoting economic development in public power communities is a top priority for ElectriCities, so we’re thrilled to be recognized for our success in that area,” said ElectriCities Chief Executive Officer Roy Jones. “Helping bring new jobs and added investment to North Carolina is one of many ways we deliver value to the communities we serve.”

ElectriCities is actively involved in helping public power communities secure economic development projects. Public power communities in North Carolina added 5,410 new jobs and secured more than $900 million in new investments in 2016. Those investments added 59 megawatts of new load.

“Having ElectriCities at the table in any economic development discussion is always a major plus. They take a pragmatic ‘let’s get it done’ approach that clients and developers like us find extremely valuable,” said Norris Tolson, CEO and president of Carolinas Gateway Partnership, a public-private economic development organization serving Nash and Edgecombe counties. “This no-nonsense approach creates jobs and adds tremendous value to local communities like ours.”

Carolinas Gateway Partnership worked with ElectriCities as part of its successful recruitment of CSX’s $270 million Carolina Connector cargo terminal. The project is expected to create 1,500 jobs across North Carolina, including 300 jobs in Rocky Mount.