Published: Aug 18, 2023
Duke Energy Awards the Ocala Metro CEP Foundation with $25,000 Economic Development Grant
Ocala, Florida (August 18, 2023) – The Ocala Metro CEP Foundation received a $25,000 grant from Duke Energy to support economic development strategic planning and targeted industry outreach efforts.
“We are grateful for our continued collaboration with Duke Energy to attract investment into the Ocala Metro. Diversifying our economy with new targeted industries, complimentary business-to-business services, and high-wage employers is a priority to ensure the future prosperity of our region and all those who call the Ocala Metro home. Duke Energy has been a trusted ally in leveraging our regional assets to make this community an attractive place to do business,” Heather Shubirg, Chief Growth Officer of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership.
The Duke Energy Economic Development Grant program makes strategic investments to build powerful communities that attract business investment and jobs, where residents and businesses thrive, and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. Duke Energy is committed to the economic vitality of Florida communities, advancing the state’s prosperity and transforming the future.
“By investing in the people, places, and businesses that strengthen and uplift our communities, we are creating opportunities for years to come,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Together with our state, regional and local economic development agencies, we will continue to power lives and fuel Florida’s growth.”
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About the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) was created to be a one-stop hub for the community’s business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP’s mission is to be THE catalyst for a prosperous community. The 2020 ACCE National Chamber of the Year, the CEP has directly impacted the announced creation of nearly 11,000 new jobs and more than $1.6 billion in capital investment and is seeking an additional 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment by 2027. For more information, visit: www.OcalaCEP.com.
About the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership Foundation
The Ocala Metro CEP Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that supports programs and initiatives to grow talent development, promote entrepreneurship, and cultivate leaders in the Ocala Metro. To learn more, visit FoundationCEP.org.
About Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
About Duke Energy & the Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
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 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 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 27,600 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics, and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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