Duke Energy provides $750,000 in grants across North Carolina for small-business revitalization
Duke Energy Foundation has announced the distribution of $750,000 in grants to support local businesses across North Carolina, marking a 50% increase over the previous $500,000 funding announced in April. The grants will now aid 30 communities instead of 20, helping small businesses recover from pandemic-related challenges. Each awarded community organization will receive $25,000 to establish microgrant programs for local businesses, fostering economic revitalization. The program is inspired by successful initiatives in Downtown Raleigh.
- Increase in grant funding to $750,000, up 50% from April.
- Expansion of support to 30 communities from the initial 20 planned.
- Each community awarded $25,000 to provide microgrants for businesses.
- None.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation today distributed
The total represents a
"After our success in supporting the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which was the model for this program, we knew that a series of targeted grants could do wonders to help North Carolina businesses and storefronts recover," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "We were astounded by the number and quality of the applications, so we decided to increase the foundation's commitment and help even more downtown communities bounce back."
The Hometown Revitalization grants were awarded to the following 30 community organizations – quotes from each on the impact of the grants can be found here:
Organization | County |
| Alexander |
| Johnston |
| Mecklenburg |
| Davie |
| Beaufort |
| Wilkes |
| Brunswick |
| Rockingham |
| Henderson |
| Wake |
| Guilford |
| Graham |
| Jones |
| Scotland |
| Lincoln |
| Mitchell |
| Cherokee |
| Polk |
| Lenoir |
| Rockingham |
| Durham |
| Rutherford |
| Rowan |
| Lee |
| Surry |
| Richmond |
| Person |
| Duplin |
| New Hanover |
Each community was awarded
The Hometown Revitalization grant program was inspired by a successful collaboration between the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Duke Energy that provided nearly 100 grants to downtown Raleigh storefronts. The grants allowed the establishments the opportunity to create outdoor seating and serving opportunities, develop e-commerce websites, repair window fronts, and upgrade health and safety elements.
Nicole Thompson, president and CEO of Downtown Durham, anticipates a similar impact in her community.
"Downtown Durham small businesses have weathered an extremely challenging few years, from an explosion that damaged multiple businesses in the Brightleaf District to the economic devastation brought on by the pandemic," she said. "The Duke Energy Hometown Revitalization Grant program will provide vital support and help to strengthen these small businesses as they recover, rebound and reinvent to succeed in this new economy."
In Charlotte, the strongest application was put forth by the Latin American Coalition.
"Here in Charlotte, many Latino small businesses were started by immigrants or the children of immigrants," said Jose Hernandez-Paris, executive director of the Coalition. "They are hard-working folks who need help recovering from the effect of the pandemic. The Hometown Revitalization Grant from Duke Energy will provide small-business owners a lifeline to stabilizing their business as we continue to recover. We are grateful for the support from Duke Energy and their commitment to our community, our families and to our small businesses."
Small businesses interested in learning about how the program will be rolled out in their communities should inquire with the local nonprofit administering the microgrants.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Bill Norton
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-provides-750-000-in-grants-across-north-carolina-for-small-business-revitalization-301387141.html
SOURCE Duke Energy
FAQ
What is the purpose of the $750,000 grants provided by Duke Energy?
How much funding did Duke Energy announce for small businesses in September 2021?
How many communities will benefit from Duke Energy's Hometown Revitalization grants?
What is the amount given to each community organization through Duke Energy's grant program?
When was the initial funding amount of $500,000 announced by Duke Energy?
