Duke Energy has chosen two properties in Connersville and Westfield, Indiana, for its 2025 Site Readiness Program. The program aims to prepare business and industrial sites for economic development and promote them to companies seeking new locations.
“Our economic development efforts have long been a key component of our work to power the vitality of our customers and communities,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “For more than a decade, we have partnered with local economic development organizations through our Site Readiness Program to help them stay competitive and market their sites and communities to prospective companies. It’s been a collaborative effort and instrumental tool to bring major economic development wins to the communities we serve – resulting in job creation, new tax dollars and investment.”
Since 2013, Duke Energy has assisted in preparing 51 properties in its service area, leading to 30 significant projects that have brought over 10,000 jobs and $14.7 billion in capital investment to Indiana.
The company works with Banning Engineering and Site Selection Group to assess promising sites. Local economic development professionals then collaborate on strategies for marketing these locations. Each selected site receives $10,000 from Duke Energy to support preparation efforts.
The two properties selected for the 2025 program are:
– The 100 Acre Industrial Site in Connersville: This 104-acre property is located near the former Visteon manufacturing plant and has access to necessary utilities as well as short line rail service.
– NorthPoint II in Westfield: A greenfield site spanning over 169 acres next to NorthPoint Business Park, suitable for large-scale projects including advanced manufacturing or corporate campuses.
“This partnership will allow us to take a key step forward in preparing and marketing the site for future industrial use,” said Brad Colter, CEO/President of the Economic Development Group of Fayette County. “We appreciate Duke Energy’s investment in our region and the proactive approach the company is taking to help ensure the communities it serves are positioned for long-term economic success.”
”NorthPoint II is an opportunity for companies to establish themselves within one of the region’s fastest-growing communities,” said Jenell Fairman, economic development director for the city of Westfield. “The state-of-the-art industrial park sits directly east of the U.S. 31 corridor and offers seamless access to I-465.
From assisting in site development to aiding in the recruitment of new investment projects, we’re grateful for Duke Energy’s support and collaboration to attract businesses to NorthPoint II and the city of Westfield.”
Duke Energy’s economic development initiatives were recognized by Site Selection magazine among its annual “Top Utilities in Economic Development.” In 2024 alone, these efforts contributed $7 billion in capital investment supporting more than 2,800 jobs across Indiana.
Duke Energy Indiana supplies about 6,300 megawatts of electric capacity serving approximately 920,000 customers over a 23,000-square-mile area. It is Indiana’s largest electric supplier.
Duke Energy is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company serves electricity customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—and owns a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts. Its natural gas utilities reach customers in five states.
The company continues investing heavily in grid improvements and cleaner energy sources such as renewables while maintaining reliability for its customers.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or via their news center online.
