Duke Energy has announced the selection of two sites in Indiana—one in Connersville and another in Westfield—for its 2025 Site Readiness Program. The initiative aims to prepare industrial properties for economic development, marketing them to companies seeking new locations for expansion or relocation.
Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, said, “Our economic development efforts have long been a key component of our work to power the vitality of our customers and communities. For more than a decade, we have partnered with local economic development organizations through our Site Readiness Program to help them stay competitive and market their sites and communities to prospective companies. It’s been a collaborative effort and instrumental tool to bring major economic development wins to the communities we serve – resulting in job creation, new tax dollars and investment.”
Since 2013, Duke Energy’s program has helped prepare 51 properties that have attracted 30 major projects, leading to over 10,000 jobs and $14.7 billion in capital investment statewide.
The company works with Banning Engineering and Site Selection Group to assess potential sites before collaborating with local partners on strategies for site readiness. Each selected property receives $10,000 from Duke Energy for project preparation.
The first location is a 104-acre site in Connersville near the former Visteon manufacturing plant. Utilities are available at the property, which is also close to rail service. Brad Colter, CEO/President of the Economic Development Group of Fayette County, stated: “This partnership will allow us to take a key step forward in preparing and marketing the site for future industrial use. We appreciate Duke Energy’s investment in our region and the proactive approach the company is taking to help ensure the communities it serves are positioned for long-term economic success.”
The second site is NorthPoint II in Westfield—a greenfield property covering more than 169 acres next to NorthPoint Business Park. It can support large-scale manufacturing or corporate campuses. Jenell Fairman, economic development director for Westfield, commented: ”NorthPoint II is an opportunity for companies to establish themselves within one of the region’s fastest-growing communities. The state-of-the-art industrial park sits directly east of the U.S. 31 corridor and offers seamless access to I-465.
From assisting in site development to aiding in the recruitment of new investment projects, we’re grateful for Duke Energy’s support and collaboration to attract businesses to NorthPoint II and the city of Westfield.”
Duke Energy has received national recognition from Site Selection magazine as one of its “Top Utilities in Economic Development” over nearly twenty years. In 2024 alone, its efforts generated $7 billion in capital investment supporting more than 2,800 jobs across Indiana.
Duke Energy Indiana provides about 6,300 megawatts of electric capacity across a service area reaching approximately 920,000 customers—making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.
Parent company Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), based in Charlotte, N.C., serves millions across six states with both electric and natural gas utilities while investing heavily into grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources such as renewables.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through their official news channels.
