Committed to the success of businesses in Scotland County, Allen McLaurin said he is glad to be assuming a position where he can make a real difference.

McLaurin will be installed tonight as chairman of the Laurinburg-Scotland County Chamber of Commerce, replacing Harry Yeatman.

McLaurin is currently employed by Z.V. Pate Inc. of Laurel Hill, where he oversees the farming operations of the organization.

In the last two years, the responsibilities of the Chamber of Commerce have changed, with industry recruitment now the sole responsibility of local government. The chamber now focuses on making the area more appealing to business, and on working with its current member organizations.

The change, McLaurin says, is a good one.

"Before businesses would end up negotiating with the county anyway, now all of the recruitment work and signing business is done by them."

In a situation where confidentiality is important, the fact that the business signing process now involves fewer people is also a potential benefit.

McLaurin has heard horror stories of big business agreeing to come to counties and, for whatever reason, the news leaked early and the businesses decided to go elsewhere.

Having grown up on a farm in Scotland County, McLaurin knows the area well. After earning an MBA, McLaurin chose to settle down in his home town, mostly because of his love for the simple life.

Being the odd example of a Scotland County native who earned a degree and chose to stay in the area, McLaurin said he questions why so many local young people are choosing to not return home after college.

"It probably has something to do with the lack of opportunity -- unemployment being so high around here."

The unemployment problem is one McLaurin said the chamber can help alleviate.

Thanks to a number of beautification projects and through offering a support system like the Chamber, he said he believes that employers will be increasingly more likely to set up shop here, bringing their jobs with them.

With a wife employed as the long-time band instructor at Spring Hill Middle School and with three children who have all grown up in the area, McLaurin's investment is more than a business one. "That motivates me," he said.

A favorite chamber sponsored event of McLaurin's is "Laurinburg After Five!", which he called "great for the community."

"We also sponsor the Chamber on the Half Shell Oyster Roast," and a number of other events, all aimed at increasing the profile of the Chamber of Commerce and making Scotland County a more appealing place to live.

McLaurin, who chaired last year's search committee to fill the vacancy, also commented on how pleased he has been with the work of new Chamber of Commerce President Theresa Lamson. At the time of her hiring McLaurin said "Theresa Lamson will bring much talent and tremendous enthusiasm to our organization." So far, nothing has been done to change that opinion.

"We were very fortunate to have her come down here and join us, and she is doing well," he said.

The Chamber of Commerce is comprised of more than 350 businesses. The Chamber's 70th Annual Awards and Membership Meeting will be held tonight beginning at 6 p.m. with a sponsors' reception.