Franklin County site one step closer to ‘Duke Energy 2018 Site Readiness Program’

Brookville, In. — Franklin County economic development officials are now one step closer to reviewing a site for industrial development in their quest to attract new or existing businesses, thanks to Duke Energy’s 2018 Site Readiness Program.

The 80-acre parcel of land is located along State Road 1 in Brookville, approximately 3 miles from the Interstate 74 interchange at St. Leon.

The Franklin County site was one of five locations selected to participate in the 2018 program. The remaining sites are located in Boone, Hamilton, Henry and Vermillion counties.

Local officials have received the site development recommendations and conceptual site plans from Banning Engineering in Plainfield, Ind., and can incorporate the recommendations into their plan to support business and job growth in the community.

Duke Energy has also presented a $10,000 check to the local economic development group to help implement the engineering firm’s recommendations.

“Economic development and job growth are important factors in building successful and sustainable communities,” said Erin Schneider, director of economic development for Duke Energy Indiana. “We recognize our obligation to help local areas become prosperous and more secure to support long-term growth.”

“Franklin County is thankful for both the technical and financial resources our community has received through the Site Readiness Program,” said Franklin County Commissioner Tom Wilson. “We rely on strong relationships to help us achieve our economic development goals, and we have appreciated this opportunity to work with  Duke Energy and Banning Engineering.”

Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program identifies, evaluates and improves sites in the company’s service territory for potential large business or industrial development.

Ideal properties for Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program are typically 40 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 26,000 jobs and total capital investment of approximately $5.9 billion.

For more information about Duke Energy Indiana’s economic development programs go online here.