Published: November 18, 2008 09:55 pm      

Raleigh business seeks expansion plan approval

Tom Braley, operations manager for State Electric Supply on Ragland Road, says business is good.

The Beckley business landmark recently opened the doors to a newly remodeled showroom, complete with a diverse array of lighting fixtures, accessories and even an art gallery.

Tuesday, the company asked the Beckley Planning Commission to approve plans to expand storage and parking at the site.

“We need additional storage space for material storage,” Braley said.

Braley says additional parking is needed as well.

“Our parking area is very limited,” he said. “We’ve actually had customers drive up and think the building was packed and turn around and drive off.”

Braley says the plan will create additional parking for customers in the front and on the side of the building located at 530 Ragland Road.

“Employees will be on the side and in the rear of the building after this plan is developed,” he said.

Braley says once all the city agencies approve the plan construction will begin immediately.

“We’re trying to start before bad weather, but I think we have missed that deadline,” he said. “We are hoping to start in December on the parking lot and the storage building will follow.”

The plan is contingent on approval by the Beckley Sanitary Board of the plan’s stormwater management.

State Electric Supply Co. was founded in 1952 by Art Weisberg in Huntington. Today, the company is 40 branches strong, spanning five states, including West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and North Carolina.

For more information about the company, call 304-256-2200 or visit its Web site at www.stateelectriclighting.com.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com