Service with a Smile
Carl Rees
Manager, Economic and Community Development
252.258.3848
crees@electricities.org
A native of Eastern North Carolina, he has worked in a variety of capacities for area local governments since 1995. Most recently, Carl served as Economic Development Manager for the City of Greenville, North Carolina. In this capacity, Carl led a full–service economic development office that engaged in business recruitment and expansion activities as well as support for small business and entrepreneurship. While at Greenville, the city was cited by the Governor of North Carolina for its support for small businesses. During this period, the city was the beneficiary of multiple industrial expansions and new locations including pharmaceutical, life science, and advanced manufacturing projects.
Beginning in 2004, Carl accepted the challenge of leading redevelopment efforts in Greenville’s urban core while serving as primary staff person to the City’s Redevelopment Commission. In this capacity, Carl spearheaded efforts that led to a combination of public and private investment in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Carl and a team of private developers received the prestigious “Development of the Year” award in 2010 from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for an innovative multi-family development constructed in downtown Greenville. Carl and his team were also awarded the Marvin Collins Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association for best community development project of 2011.
From 1995-2003, Carl served in a number of city planning positions for municipalities in eastern North Carolina. For his work on recovery efforts from Hurricane Floyd in the late 1990s, Carl received a commendation from the United States House of Representatives. In 2019, Carl received his Certified Economic Developer Credentials (CEcD), from the International Economic Development Council. Carl is a proud graduate of East Carolina University and was previously an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division.
Contact Carl Rees for industrial projects in the Triangle region and eastern North Carolina.
Jennings Gray
Lead Economic Developer – Commercial
336.905.9293
jgray@electricities.org
Jennings Gray works as a Lead Economic Developer – Commercial for ElectriCities of NC. ElectriCities serves 70+ public power cities and towns across North Carolina that are members of the organization. Jennings has over 14 years of experience in public and private economic development, local government administration, and corporate retail site selection consulting.
With previous experience working with Lowe’s Home Centers Inc. and SkyLine Telephone Membership Corporation, Jennings exhibits a creative ability to manage public and community relations programs, and maintain key relationships with government officials, national commercial real estate brokers, and developers. Since joining ElectriCities, Jennings enjoys working with member communities, including many downtown development organizations, to develop, enhance, and implement their retail recruitment strategy.
After attending Appalachian State University, Jennings received certifications in Government Planning, Tax Administration, Economic Development, and County Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Government.
Originally from the North Carolina mountains, Jennings and his wife, Suzanne, now call Raleigh home.
Contact Jennings Gray for commercial projects in the Charlotte region and North Carolina foothills.
Casey Verburg
Senior Economic Developer – Industrial
704.794.7844
cverburg@electricities.org
Casey Verburg has worked in economic development since 2008 in North Carolina and Virginia. Beginning in 2019, Casey worked in Goochland County, Virginia where she ran the business recruitment initiative for the county. These recruitment efforts led to new industrial, retail, and office announcements in the county in the industries of indoor agriculture, distribution centers, and medical offices. Additionally, Casey played an integral role in the development of the first targeted industry analysis for the county.
Prior to 2019, Casey served in several positions across the state of North Carolina. She served as a Main Street Director for the Town of Fuquay-Varina. Prior to Fuquay-Varina, Casey worked for the City of Greenville, as a project manager overseeing the business retention program, and worked on the development of co-working space for entrepreneurs and students. Casey started her economic development career in 2008 at Wake County Economic Development as a research manager.
Casey graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/English and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
Born and raised in Maryland, Casey and her family are now proud to call Charlotte home.
Contact Casey Verburg for projects in the Charlotte region and North Carolina foothills.
Kellianne Williams
Senior Economic Developer – Commercial
919.760.6305
kdavis@electricities.org
Kellianne Williams serves as Senior Economic Developer – Commercial based out of the Raleigh office where she works on projects throughout the Triangle region and eastern North Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from High Point University and a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University. Kellianne enjoys learning about and implementing various solutions to help foster economic development, create community pride, and promote the welfare of all in the communities she serves.
Kellianne is quite familiar with North Carolina public power communities having grown up in Gastonia before migrating to High Point, Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Wilson. Kellianne is an energetic leader and has been personally and professionally focused on neighborhood redevelopment, downtown revitalization, small business development, and attraction and retention of young professionals. While working towards each of these outcomes, Kellianne remains passionate about keeping equity and inclusion at the heart of her work.
While employed as community development manager in Rocky Mount, Kellianne worked to bring on-line two large affordable housing developments: Beal Street Square Apartments and Ravenwood Crossing Apartments, leveraging a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and HUD HOME funding to finance the projects. In Wilson, Kellianne helped facilitate public and private investment in Historic Downtown Wilson including the completion of over 20 transformative property redevelopment projects, recruitment of a new brewery, several new restaurants, and other businesses. Kellianne also served on the city’s project team to develop the Gig East Exchange, a facility built to encourage innovation in Wilson and throughout Eastern North Carolina. During Kellianne’ s tenure with the City of Wilson, Historic Downtown Wilson was recognized for two consecutive years as having the largest public/private investment of all NC Main Street communities.
Kellianne’s friends and colleagues know her for being humorous, dependable, and approachable. She is a dog lover, yoga enthusiast, and a proud Gryffindor.
Contact Kellianne Williams for commercial projects in the Triangle region and eastern North Carolina.
70+ Reasons to do Business in North Carolina
At ElectriCities, we look for opportunities to partner with our 70+ member cities to provide customized assistance within all aspects of economic development. From marketing to targeted recruiting to grant assistance, we’re here for you with tools and expertise. We actively work with the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., along with site selectors, and participate in national trade shows to recruit industries and bring jobs to our public power hometowns.
…HERE ARE FOUR MORE REASONS
- Ranked #1, Largest Manufacturing Workforce in the Southeast
- Ranked #2, Competitive Labor Environment by Area Development, 2018
- Elite higher Education — 53 colleges and universities including the Tier 1 research universities NCSU, Duke, and UNC
- 22,500+ STEM Degrees Annually
Services we Provide to ElectriCities Members
Target Sectors
ElectriCities’ Economic Development staff can assist you in determining the areas of target recruitment based on your city’s demographics, location, and needs.
Proposals for Prospects / Clients
When a commercial or industrial customer is ready to relocate to your area, we will work with the Power Agency rate staff to develop a customized proposal.
Marketing / Collateral Advertising Assistance
We can work with you to develop and produce marketing, advertising, and collateral pieces to promote your community.
Retail / Commercial Development
Our staff can help you recruit new development with marketing collateral and site analysis based on the target sector’s site requirements.
Trade Show Opportunities
Economic Development staff attends several trade shows each year on behalf of NC Public Power communities. Offering member cities and towns a chance to appeal to a range of industries, all under one roof.
Market Research Analysis
Client specific market research analysis with community data and mapping.
Smart Sites®
S2 is a shovel–ready site qualification program designed to support economic development opportunities in NC Public Power communities.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
• IMPLAN Impact Modeling
• GIS Mapping Software
• Client Recruitment
• Feasibility Studies
• Territorial Issues
• Member Support
• GIS Mapping Software
• Client Recruitment
• Feasibility Studies
• Territorial Issues
• Member Support
Services we Provide to Businesses, Site Selectors, and Developers
Assistance at No Charge
From project outset through construction, ElectriCities remains your partner during the entire relocation or expansion process. Site tours? No problem. Electricity, water, zoning, permitting? They’re all handled with one-stop convenience when you work with a public power community. And we’ll function as your liaison with state agencies to streamline such matters as financing, incentive packages, and environmental considerations — all at no cost to you.
Fast, Efficient, and Confidential
Tell us what you’re looking for, and in 48 hours or less we’ll give you an in-depth report on locations that match your specifications within a public power community, complete with listings, photos, and descriptions of available sites and buildings. And rest assured, all inquiries are handled with the utmost confidentiality.
A Wealth of Data
We maintain comprehensive databases for all 70+ public power municipalities in North Carolina. That means you can find all the information you need in one place — infrastructure, availability of sites and buildings, labor, demographics, education resources, job training, and even lifestyle data such as schools, hospitals, and golf courses.