Duke Energy Selects Four Properties For Potential Industrial And Business Development

Last updated on Friday, May 29, 2015

(PLAINFIELD) - Duke Energy has selected four Indiana properties for its 2015 Site Readiness Program that prepares land or buildings for potential industrial development.

They are:

A 200-plus acre site at the Vermillion Rise Mega Park in Hillsdale along State Road 63 (Vermillion Co.)
A 140-acre site inside the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville (Clark Co.)
A 700-plus acre site in Kokomo near the new U.S. 31 bypass (Howard Co.)
100,000 square feet of available space at the Industrial Jordan Manufacturing Building at 1250 Commerce Drive in Rushville (Rush Co.)

The Site Readiness Program is a key component of Duke Energy's economic development model. It identifies, evaluates and improves industrial sites in the company's service territory to help communities served by the utility compete for new companies and jobs.

"An important part of what Duke Energy is all about includes fostering economic development opportunities in the communities we serve," said Marvin Blade, Duke Energy Indiana's vice president of economic development and community relations. "Our Site Readiness Program is committed to helping bring jobs and economic growth to these areas."

Site consulting firm McCallum Sweeney Consulting will evaluate the sites in Clark, Howard and Vermillion counties, while Banning Engineering will produce conceptual drawings and site plans.

InSite Consulting will evaluate the industrial building in Rushville, with architectural firm Schmidt Associates of Indianapolis producing conceptual drawings and site plans.

Based on consultant recommendations, Duke Energy will collaborate with county leaders and local economic development professionals to develop a strategy for providing water, sewer, natural gas and electricity to the sites.

The parties may also recommend road improvements, easements and rights-of-way that will be required to develop the sites, as well as steps necessary to mitigate any potential environmental impacts.

Duke Energy will present its findings - including a detailed report and conceptual drawings - to county officials when the studies are completed. Economic development organizations in each county will also receive a check for $10,000 to help implement the recommendations.

After each site's state of readiness has advanced, Duke Energy's business development team will strategically market them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.

Ideal properties for Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program are 60 acres or larger, served by the utility, or a vacant industrial building at least 20,000 square feet identified to support renewed industrial growth and sustainable development in a community.

Duke Energy Indiana's overall economic development program has also been consistently named by Site Selection magazine as one of the nation's "Top 10 Utility Economic Development Programs." Since 2008, the company has participated in the creation of nearly 20,000 jobs and total capital investment of approximately $4.5 billion.

For more information about Duke Energy Indiana's economic development programs, visit www.locationindiana.com.

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