Duke Energy Florida announced it has identified four locations in Franklin, Highlands and Marion counties for inclusion in its 2022 Site Readiness Program to evaluate and prepare industrial site opportunities for economic development investments.
“Duke Energy Florida is committed to powering the lives of our customers and the vitality of our communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Through the Site Readiness Program, we continue to work closely with various government and private sector organizations to bring new jobs and capital investment to the state of Florida. We are proud of this program’s initial success and we will continue to offer economic development initiatives that bring value to the communities we serve.”
Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials, local economic development professionals and landowners to develop a strategy for getting sites fully ready to market to industrial prospects. In Florida alone, the Site Readiness Program has resulted in 680 new jobs and $183 million in capital investment in Florida since 2013.
Baseline Commerce Park is located in Ocala, a prime manufacturing and distribution powerhouse district that is centrally located within the state of Florida. The site offers 151 acres plus an additional 90 acres for expansion opportunities. “The Ocala Metro CEP’s engagement with Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has been an extremely valuable partnership,” said Kevin T. Sheilley, President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership. “As a result, we look forward to welcoming our next major industrial user to the community.”
For 18 consecutive years, Duke Energy’s economic development efforts have been recognized by Site Selection magazine in the publication’s annual list of “Top Utilities in Economic Development.” Since 2001, the Duke Energy economic development team has helped expand or attract 325 companies to Florida, drawing more than 48,000 jobs and over $5 billion in capital investment to the state. View the full article at Duke Energy News Center.
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The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership was created to be a one-stop hub for the community’s business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP’s mission is to be THE catalyst for a prosperous community. The 2020 National Chamber of the Year, the CEP has directly impacted the announced creation of nearly 10,000 new jobs and more than $1.2 billion in capital investment and is seeking an additional 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment by 2027. For more information, visit: www.OcalaCEP.com.
