Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky has announced the recipients of its 2025 Economic Development Awards, recognizing both community partners and company employees for their contributions to regional economic growth. The awards, which began in 2023, are presented annually within the company’s Ohio and Kentucky service areas.
The City of Fairfield (Ohio) received the Duke Energy Partner Achievement Award for its collaboration with Duke Energy on multiple projects in 2025, as well as ongoing development efforts over the past five years. Notable initiatives include expansion with Koch Foods and Pacific Manufacturing.
The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority was given the Duke Energy Visionary Achievement Award. The organization has played a key role in projects such as Givaudan in Reading (Ohio) and continues to work with Duke Energy on infrastructure planning, site evaluations, and strategic development opportunities.
Internally, Martin Rios, Dina Riemann, Andre Rose from transactional legal support, and Roger Zimmerman, an electric distribution planner at Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky, were recognized with the Energizing Economic Development Award for supporting major projects and responding to economic development needs.
In the previous year, Duke Energy’s Economic Development team partnered with state and regional organizations to attract more than $548 million in new capital investment and over 1,000 jobs to the region. The company’s site readiness program has evaluated 42 sites across southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky since its inception, helping to enhance competitiveness for industrial development.
Collaborations with groups like REDI Cincinnati and BE NKY Growth Partnership have been highlighted as important factors behind recent economic growth in the area.
Amy Spiller, President of Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky, stated: “Through the efforts of our economic development team and local partners, we’ve been able to bring national and global organizations to our region. It gives us great pride to have supported these efforts, which ultimately landed opportunities for our communities to grow and prosper.”
Kimm Lauterbach, President & CEO of REDI Cincinnati added: “Duke Energy’s recognition of these award recipients reflects a deep commitment to advancing economic development across the Cincinnati region. Their support elevates the communities and partners whose work is driving impactful growth, expanding opportunity and shaping a stronger future for our region.”
Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky serves nearly one million electric customers across a 3,000-square-mile area in Ohio and Kentucky. Its parent company operates electric utilities serving 8.6 million customers across six states and natural gas utilities serving 1.7 million customers in four states. The company is focused on energy transition efforts that include grid upgrades and investments in cleaner energy sources.
More information about Duke Energy can be found at duke-energy.com or through their official social media channels.
