Duke Energy selects properties for site readiness

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Duke Energy has selected three properties across the state for its 2020 Site Readiness Program which helps enhance sites for business and industrial development with help from Global Location Strategies, Strategic Development Group and Site Selection Group.

At least 15 major projects in the state, resulting in 2,600 new jobs and almost $1 billion in capital investment, have selected properties that underwent site preparation through the program, according to a news release.

"Our Site Readiness Program has been highly successful and a valuable tool for our partners and communities across the Carolinas," Stu Heishman, Duke Energy's vice president of economic development and business recruitment, said in the release. "Our team works with local and regional partners to develop a strategy to advance the readiness of selected sites and recruit national companies to the Carolinas. We have strong relationships with our state and local partners, and leverage the expertise of nationally recognized consultants to maximize the impact of the program."

The locations include a 163-acre property adjacent Inland Port Dillon, 330 acres off S.C. Highway 9 in Lancaster County and  192 acres in Newberry County’s Newberry South Industrial Site.

Each site is eligible to apply for a $10,000 matching grant from Duke Energy to help prepare it to attract projects, the release said. After each site's state of readiness has advanced, Duke Energy's business recruitment team strategically markets each of them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.

Duke Energy's economic development efforts are perennially recognized by Site Selection magazine in the publication's annual list of "Top Utilities in Economic Development." Through these efforts, Duke Energy helped recruit $537 million in capital investment in South Carolina and more than 1,750 jobs for the state in 2019.