Duke Energy has announced the selection of three properties in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky for its 2025 Site Readiness Program. The program aims to prepare these sites for business and industrial development, making them more attractive to companies looking to start, expand or relocate operations.
Since its launch in 2010, Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 42 sites across Ohio and Kentucky. According to the company, twenty businesses have chosen locations that participated in the program, resulting in over $2 billion in capital investment and the creation of 5,400 jobs. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Carvana, Shape Corp., and Niagara Bottling are among those that have invested in these areas.
The selected sites for this year include Frick Family Farms in Monroe (Butler County), Union Ren Farms in Middletown (Warren County), and Commonwealth Commerce Center in Northern Kentucky (Pendleton County).
Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, stated: “Economic development is vital to the future growth and prosperity of our region. Our Site Readiness Program is one example of the proactive economic development initiatives that Duke Energy pursues to help spark investment in the communities we serve. We appreciate our collaboration with local partners and developers as we work to bring more jobs to the region and make Greater Cincinnati a place in which people want to work and live.”
Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati, added: “Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program not only speeds up economic development opportunities but also ensures that our communities are equipped to compete with sites that are ready to be utilized. We appreciate Duke Energy’s ongoing investment and leadership in enhancing the economy of the Cincinnati region.”
The company collaborates with consulting firm Site Selection Group, engineering firm Bayer Becker, REDI Cincinnati, BE NKY Growth Partnership, local governments, and other utilities as part of this initiative.
Duke Energy’s economic development efforts have been recognized by Site Selection magazine for 21 consecutive years on its annual list of “Top Utilities in Economic Development.” In 2024 alone, Duke Energy helped attract $548 million in new capital investment and over 1,000 jobs across Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky provides electric service to approximately 910,000 customers within a 3,000-square-mile area as well as natural gas service to about 560,000 customers across a 2,650-square-mile area spanning both states.
The parent company serves a total of 8.6 million electric customers across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its natural gas utilities reach around 1.7 million customers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through their social media channels.
