Duke Energy has selected two sites in Connersville and Westfield, Indiana, for its 2025 Site Readiness Program. The initiative is designed to prepare promising business and industrial properties for economic development and promote them to companies looking to expand or relocate.
Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, said, “Our economic development efforts have long been a key component of our work to power the vitality of our customers and communities. 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’s program has prepared 51 properties within its service area. These sites have attracted 30 significant projects, leading to over 10,000 new jobs and nearly $14.7 billion in capital investment in Indiana.
The company works with Banning Engineering and Site Selection Group to assess site potential. Local economic development professionals then collaborate on strategies for preparing these locations for industrial prospects. Each chosen site receives $10,000 from Duke Energy to support readiness activities.
The selected sites for 2025 are:
– The 100 Acre Industrial Site in Connersville covers 104 acres across three parcels near the former Visteon manufacturing plant. Utilities are available at the site, which also benefits from proximity to rail service.
– NorthPoint II in Westfield is a greenfield property spanning over 169 acres next to NorthPoint Business Park. It is positioned for large-scale industrial projects as well as advanced manufacturing operations.
Brad Colter, CEO/President of the Economic Development Group of Fayette County, commented on the partnership: “This partnership will allow us to take a key step forward in preparing and marketing the site for future industrial use. 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.”
Jenell Fairman, economic development director for Westfield, stated: ”NorthPoint II is an opportunity for companies to establish themselves within one of the region’s fastest-growing communities. 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.”
For almost twenty years, Duke Energy’s economic development initiatives have been recognized by international publication Site Selection among top utilities in this field. In 2024 alone, these efforts generated $7 billion in capital investment supporting more than 2,800 jobs across Indiana.
Duke Energy Indiana serves approximately 920,000 customers with about 6,300 megawatts of electric capacity across a territory covering 23,000 square miles—making it Indiana’s largest electricity provider.
Duke Energy is based in Charlotte, N.C., operates electric utilities serving about 8.6 million customers across six states including Florida (https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/business-units), owns more than 55 gigawatts of energy capacity nationwide (https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/business-units), and provides natural gas services as well (https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/business-units).
The company continues investing heavily in grid modernization projects along with cleaner energy sources such as renewables (https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/how-energy-works/renewable-energy), nuclear power (https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/how-energy-works/nuclear-power), natural gas generation (https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/how-energy-works/natural-gas), and energy storage solutions (https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/how-energy-works/battery-storage).
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or via their news center online.
