Congratulations to the City of Albemarle, the City of Lumberton, and the City of Wilson and Wilson Energy, winners of ElectriCities’ inaugural Economic Excellence Awards!
The Economic Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievements in fostering economic growth, electric load growth, and quality of life enhancements within North Carolina’s public power communities. The awards align with public power’s strategic priorities and celebrate innovation, collaborative impact, and future readiness.
Innovation in Economic Development Award: City of Albemarle
The Innovation in Economic Development Award recognizes community-centered and innovative strategies, initiatives, and programs that advance economic development in public power communities.
The City of Albemarle earned the award for its Downtown Catalyst Grant Program, an innovative initiative launched in 2021 to revitalize the city’s historic downtown. By offering matching grants of up to $25,000 for improvements such as façade restoration, code upgrades, and interior renovations, Albemarle has stimulated private investment and adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized buildings. The program has awarded 10 grants totaling $250,000, leveraging over $2.5 million in private investment. These efforts have led to new businesses, job opportunities, and increased foot traffic, while preserving historic structures and enhancing the downtown’s economic vitality.
Collaborative Impact in Economic Development Award: City of Lumberton
The Collaborative Impact in Economic Development Award recognizes people-centered solutions to economic, community workforce, and infrastructure issues.
Lumberton’s Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park, an ElectriCities-certified Smart Site, exemplifies this spirit, bringing together public and private stakeholders to enhance site readiness and attract industrial development. The City led infrastructure improvements, including road access, water and sewer extensions, and electric service upgrades, in partnership with utilities, county government, and regional economic development organizations. These enhancements have made the site highly competitive for industrial prospects, attracting interest from site selectors and paving the way for future private investment, job creation, and electric load growth. Lumberton’s project stands as a model for coordinated rural economic development.
Horizons in Economic Development Award: City of Wilson and Wilson Energy
The Horizons in Economic Development Award celebrates future-focused efforts that ensure economic resiliency, sustainability, and positioning for private investment and quality of life.
Wilson Energy’s Clean Energy Initiative, in partnership with Carolina Poultry Power (CPP), is a shining example. This renewable energy facility converts poultry litter into biomass-based electricity, supporting Wilson’s strategy to diversify its energy portfolio, reduce carbon emissions, and promote sustainable industrial growth. The initiative has resulted in a new interconnection to Wilson Energy’s grid, boosting electric load growth and grid resilience, while also supporting job creation and agricultural waste management. Wilson Energy’s forward-thinking approach to clean energy and circular economy models exemplifies the award’s focus on sustainability and future-ready strategies.
“Congratulations to these three communities for receiving our first-ever awards for economic excellence,” said Carl Rees, Manager of Economic and Community Development at ElectriCities. “Your dedication to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability is a big win for everyone who calls your communities home and an inspiration to our entire public power community.”