Duke Energy has selected six properties in Florida for its 2025 Site Readiness Program, an initiative designed to prepare business and industrial sites for economic development and market them to companies considering expansion or relocation.
Since the program began in 2013, Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 60 sites across the state. Ten companies have chosen locations that went through the program, resulting in more than $493 million in capital investment and the creation of 1,950 new jobs in Florida. One example is an Amazon facility developed in Highlands County, which brought 60 jobs and $25 million in investment to the area.
The program aims to help communities make their sites more competitive by providing analysis from consultants, designers, and engineers such as Zev Cohen & Associates, Kolb Design Group, Vision First Advisors, Strategic Development Group, and Site Selection Group. These experts work with local economic development organizations and government agencies to improve industrial sites’ appeal.
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida, said: “The 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. Through this program, we’re able to connect high-potential sites with companies that infuse capital and jobs into local communities for years to come.”
Destin Wells, senior vice president of economic development at Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP), commented: “Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program plays a critical role in strengthening the Orlando region’s ability to attract and compete for transformative business investments. By identifying and preparing high-potential sites, the program accelerates development timelines and brings greater visibility to our region’s industrial assets. Through the leadership of our economic development team, led by Senior Director Tracy Garcia, our collaboration with Duke Energy also enhances OEP’s site readiness program, D.I.R.T. (Development Initiative for Regional Transformation), combining local insight with infrastructure expertise to drive quality job creation and sustainable growth across Central Florida.”
The six locations selected for the 2025 program are Winnin LLLP Property (Seminole County), City of Perry Property (Taylor County), Sherrill Property (Levy County), Lake County Industrial Park (Lake County), Bar 7 Ranch (Osceola County), and Fort Meade Industrial Site (Polk County).
Duke Energy Florida serves two million customers over a 13,000-square-mile area with a capacity of 12,500 megawatts. Its parent company Duke Energy is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and operates electric utilities serving millions across several states. The company is focused on modernizing its grid infrastructure while investing in cleaner energy sources such as renewables and energy storage.
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