Southern Pines is expected to receive $200,000 in state funding toward a new generator that will help keep Town Hall operating during power outages and severe weather emergencies.
The Southern Pines Town Hall generator is expected to cost approximately $324,000. The state allocation will cover more than half of that expense, reducing the amount the town must provide for the project.
Town officials have already arranged for the purchase and installation of the equipment. The generator is expected to arrive later this year.
The funding was included in a committee report connected to the state budget approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Josh Stein.
The Southern Pines allocation is listed for emergency energy improvements.
Generator Will Support Emergency Operations
The Southern Pines Town Hall generator will provide backup power for the entire building at the corner of Broad Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
That will allow town departments to continue essential operations during widespread electrical outages, hurricanes, tropical storms and other emergencies.
Southern Pines leaders also plan to relocate the town’s Emergency Operations Center from the Police Department to the third floor of Town Hall.
The Emergency Operations Center serves as a central location where town leaders and public safety officials can coordinate their response to severe weather, major outages and other community emergencies.
Town officials say the center could be established and operating within approximately 30 minutes when needed. However, the relocation cannot happen until the Town Hall generator is installed.
Mayor Taylor Clement said Southern Pines has experienced several situations in recent years that demonstrated the importance of reliable backup power, including a widespread county outage and a tropical storm.
The generator will allow Town Hall to function as a multipurpose facility and help the town maintain services when residents may need them most.
State Funding Helps Offset Project Cost
State Rep. Neal Jackson, State Rep. Ben Moss and State Sen. Tom McInnis worked to secure the funding for Southern Pines.
Clement said Jackson contacted the town to ask about its most important needs. The generator was identified as one of the top priorities.
Although the state allocation does not cover the full project cost, town officials said the funding provides meaningful support and will help Southern Pines continue improving its emergency preparedness.
The Southern Pines Town Hall generator is one of the final major additions planned for the renovated facility.
Town Hall Renovations Continue
Southern Pines Town Hall is located at 300 Southwest Broad Street in the former First Bank headquarters.
The town has spent several months updating the building and moving departments into the new facility. Most of the operations scheduled to relocate have now settled into the building.
Remaining work includes completing the lower floor, which will serve as the new Town Council chambers.
A grand opening for Town Hall is scheduled for August 13. The public can attend the drop-in event between 4 and 7 p.m.
The new generator will not only protect the town’s investment in the facility but also strengthen its ability to respond when normal services are disrupted.
Once the Southern Pines Town Hall generator is installed, the building will be better prepared to serve as both the center of town government and a reliable emergency operations site for the community.
