LAURINBURG — The city of Laurinburg needs to update its economic development strategic plan. And city leaders need your help.
Laurinburg residents are being asked to fill out an online survey to help prioritize what the city needs to focus on. The plan is being developed with the help ElectriCities of North Carolina, the city’s electric supplier and Creative Economic Development Consulting.
The survey, administered through Surveymonkey.com, should take roughly 10 minutes to complete, said Michael Mandeville, Laurinburg’s community development director.
“As some of you may have seen or heard the City of Laurinburg is updating its economic development strategic plan with support from ElectriCities of N.C., Inc.,” Mandeville said. “Creative Economic Development Consulting is facilitating the update to the strategic plan. We could use your help in updating the plan.”
Participants will be asked several questions, including rating the current business climate; critical threats to economic growth; and model a city that Laurinburg should emulate. Answers are anonymous.
“I just hope we can gather as much information as possible from not just city employees but hopefully citizens as well,” Mandeville said. “We want a good and solid economic development plan out of it that we can use as a roadmap for the coming years.”
If you would like to take the survey,go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZ87H9X or visit the city of Laurinburg’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityoflbg/.
The survey results will be used to create a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. From there, Electricities will be able to help formulate a plan unique to Laurinburg and influenced by those who call the city of tree home.
“This is how the city can better position itself to make us more attractive for potential industry and economic development,” said City Manager Charles Nichols.
Creative Economic Development Consulting will also be in Laurinburg on Thursday conducting interviews and having a workshop. The schedule for next Thursday:
— Steering Committee update meeting 9 to 10 am
— Small group meetings/interviews at town hall at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
— Community workshop from 4 – 5:30 pm
