Duke Energy has chosen two locations — one in Connersville and another in Westfield — to participate in its 2025 Site Readiness Program. This initiative is designed to prepare promising industrial and commercial sites for future investment opportunities, helping position them for companies seeking to expand or relocate operations nationwide.

“Supporting economic growth has always been a cornerstone of our mission to strengthen the communities we serve,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “Through our Site Readiness Program, we’ve worked closely with local development organizations for more than ten years to enhance site competitiveness and attract new business. This collaboration has led to significant economic wins, generating jobs, investments, and new tax revenue across our service areas.”

Since its launch in 2013, the program has helped advance 51 sites within Duke Energy’s service territory, resulting in 30 major development projects that have brought over 10,000 new jobs and $14.7 billion in capital investments to Indiana.

Duke Energy collaborates with Banning Engineering and Site Selection Group to assess each site’s potential, working with local economic development teams to create tailored marketing and readiness strategies. Each selected property receives a $10,000 grant to support planning and preparation for industrial recruitment.

2025 Selected Sites

The 104-acre site in Connersville spans three adjoining parcels, positioned just north of the former 1.7-million-square-foot Visteon manufacturing plant. With utilities easily accessible and a nearby short-line rail connection, the property is well suited for industrial growth.

 

“This partnership marks an important step in our efforts to promote and prepare this site for industrial use,” said Brad Colter, CEO and President of the Economic Development Group of Fayette County. “We’re grateful for Duke Energy’s continued investment and commitment to strengthening our region’s economic foundation.”

 

Located adjacent to the existing NorthPoint Business Park, the 169-acre NorthPoint II site offers space ideal for advanced manufacturing, corporate campuses, or megasite projects.
 

“NorthPoint II provides a premier opportunity for businesses to establish operations in one of the fastest-growing communities in the region,” said Jenell Fairman, Westfield’s Economic Development Director. “With its prime location along the U.S. 31 corridor and easy access to I-465, this site is positioned for exceptional connectivity and growth. We value Duke Energy’s ongoing partnership in helping attract and support new investment in Westfield.”

For nearly 20 years, Site Selection magazine has named Duke Energy among the “Top Utilities in Economic Development.” In 2024 alone, the company’s efforts helped generate $7 billion in new capital investment and supported more than 2,800 jobs across Indiana.

Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power Recognized as Top Utilities for 2025
Site Selection magazine has included Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power on its Top Utilities in Economic Development list for 2025, honoring their role in supporting business growth and investment.

Each year, the publication evaluates utilities across the U.S. based on their ability to attract and retain business through job creation, capital investment, and new initiatives, with 22 utilities earning recognition for their 2024 efforts.

Alabama Power represented the South Central region, reporting $3.1 billion in corporate facility investments and 2,928 new jobs. A key achievement was the work of the company’s Economic and Community Development (ECD) team, which supported Alabama’s SEEDS Act. This legislation boosts the state’s competitiveness by expanding development-ready sites and increasing state resources for site acquisition and improvement. The team also deployed GIS mapping and drone technology to evaluate thousands of acres for SEEDS funding, creating new viable locations for future projects.

Georgia Power earned recognition in the South Atlantic region with $9.1 billion in investments and 16,957 jobs generated. Notable projects included SOLARCYCLE’s $344.5 million recycling facility in Cedartown (600 jobs), GF Casting Solutions’ $184 million Augusta project (354 jobs), and PrizePicks’ new Atlanta headquarters bringing 1,000 jobs. The company’s project pipeline reached a record high of 312 projects with 88,500 potential jobs, with data centers accounting for a significant portion of capital spending and energy demand. Georgia Power’s growth was also supported by the completion of a fourth nuclear unit at Plant Vogtle, making it the largest emissions-free energy generator in the nation.

Mississippi Power was likewise honored in the South Central region, recording $10.5 billion in investments and 1,124 jobs created. Its most notable development was a $10 billion agreement with Compass Datacenters in Meridian, alongside major projects such as PCC GulfChem’s $540 million expansion in DeLisle, Mar Jac Poultry’s $25 million investment in New Augusta, and Bar Pole & Piling’s $10 million initiative in Quitman. The utility also advanced its Propels Program, now in its second year, which offers communities financial support for site development, planning, and marketing—distributing over $800,000 since launch.

For more on each company’s economic development initiatives: