The City of Meridian could soon gain another partner in its effort to increase commercial development in the area.

Chuck Branch, managing partner of Birmingham-based NextSite, gave a presentation to the Meridian City Council at a work session Tuesday — outlining how his firm can assist with commercial growth in the area.

“I think there’s significant opportunities in Meridian, both on the quick- service/ full-service restaurant side and from traditional retail,” Branch said.

Currently serving 11 cities in Mississippi, NextSite provides research, mapping support and market analysis and assists in “the identification of real estate opportunities for retail development and redevelopment,” according to the firm’s website.

This information is then used to “connect these opportunities to the appropriate retail real estate decision makers.”

“I think the most important thing that we’re doing is providing the market analysis to the local entities to then support existing businesses and entrepreneurial efforts,” Branch said after the meeting.

Branch told the council that a three-year contract is $150,000, or $50,000 per year.

But that amount would be offset by a Mississippi Power subsidy, roughly $24,000 per year, bringing the city’s obligation to about $26,000 per year, or $78,000 over the three-year period.

The council could vote to accept NextSite’s proposal as early as next Tuesday.