Duke Energy has announced the selection of three industrial sites in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky for its 2025 Site Readiness Program. The program aims to prepare business and industrial properties for economic development, making them more attractive to companies looking to start, expand or relocate operations.
Since its inception in 2010, the Site Readiness Program has evaluated 42 sites across Ohio and Kentucky. As a result, twenty companies have chosen these prepared locations for expansion, bringing over $2 billion in capital investment and creating 5,400 new jobs in the region. Companies that have selected these sites include Coca-Cola, Carvana, Shape Corp., and Niagara Bottling.
The three properties selected for the 2025 program are Frick Family Farms in Monroe (Butler County), Union Ren Farms in Middletown (Warren County), and Commonwealth Commerce Center in Northern Kentucky (Pendleton County).
The Site Readiness Program partners Duke Energy with consultant Site Selection Group and engineering firm Bayer Becker. Local collaboration includes REDI Cincinnati, BE NKY Growth Partnership, local governments, and other utilities.
Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky said: “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.”
Duke Energy’s efforts have been recognized by Site Selection magazine for 21 consecutive years as a “Top Utility in Economic Development.” In 2024 alone, Duke Energy helped attract $548 million in new capital investment along with 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.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy serves electric customers across six states including Ohio and Kentucky. The company is focusing on upgrading its electric grid infrastructure while investing in cleaner energy sources such as renewables, nuclear power, natural gas generation, and energy storage technologies.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through their social media channels.
