Duke Energy has selected six high-potential industrial and business properties across Florida for its 2025 Site Readiness Program, aimed at accelerating economic development and attracting new investments. Since launching the initiative in 2013, the program has assessed 60 locations, leading to 1,950 job creations and $493 million in capital investment statewide. Ten companies have chosen sites previously evaluated through the program, including a recent Amazon facility in Highlands County that generated 60 local jobs and $25 million in investment.
The selected 2025 sites are located in Seminole, Taylor, Levy, Lake, Osceola, and Polk counties, spanning central and northern regions of the state. The program involves collaboration with consulting firms such as Zev Cohen & Associates, Kolb Design Group, and Vision First Advisors, alongside coordination with regional economic development agencies and utility partners. These efforts help streamline site development, improve infrastructure readiness, and increase visibility to national and international investors.
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida, emphasized the company’s proactive role in fostering community growth by connecting promising locations with businesses seeking expansion opportunities. Destin Wells of the Orlando Economic Partnership highlighted how the initiative strengthens Central Florida’s competitiveness, particularly through integration with local programs like D.I.R.T. (Development Initiative for Regional Transformation), which combines regional insights with energy infrastructure planning.
Duke Energy Florida serves approximately 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area, operating 12,500 megawatts of generation capacity. Nationally, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, provides electricity to 8.6 million customers across six states and natural gas to 1.7 million customers in five states. The company is currently advancing a strategic energy transition focused on grid modernization and cleaner energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and storage solutions.
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Duke Energy helps Florida communities prepare business and industrial sites to bring local investments
Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 60 sites, attracted 1,950 new jobs and $493 million in capital investment in Florida since the program began in 2013 n nSix high-potential business and industrial sites were selected for the 2025 program n nST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Duke Energy selected six properties in Florida to complete its 2025 Site Readiness Program, which prepares high-potential business and industrial sites for economic development investments and markets them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations. n nBringing investments, jobs to Florida: Since 2013, Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 60 sites. 10 companies have selected and committed to growing on sites that have been through the program. Those companies are bringing over $493 million in new capital investment and 1,950 new jobs for Florida. n nOne of the recent Site Readiness project successes included the development of an Amazon location in Highlands County. The project resulted in 60 new jobs and $25 million in capital investment for the local community. n nAbout the program: The Duke Energy Site Readiness Program sparks economic growth by helping communities understand what steps to take in order to make their sites more competitive. In turn, this results in new jobs, investment in the community and diversification of the local tax base. n nDuring the program, consultants, designers and engineers including Zev Cohen & Associates, Kolb Design Group, Vision First Advisors, Strategic Development Group and Site Selection Group are engaged to analyze the sites. n nTogether, the group works with state, regional, and local economic development organizations, community government and other utilities to ultimately improve and increase awareness of industrial sites. n nWhat they’re saying n nMelissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida: “The Site Readiness program is one example of the proactive economic development initiatives that Duke Energy pursues to help spark investment in the communities we serve. Through this program, we’re able to connect high-potential sites with companies that infuse capital and jobs into local communities for years to come.” n nDestin Wells, senior vice president of economic development, Orlando Economic Partnership: “Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program plays a critical role in strengthening the Orlando region’s ability to attract and compete for transformative business investments. By identifying and preparing high-potential sites, the program accelerates development timelines and brings greater visibility to our region’s industrial assets. Through the leadership of our economic development team, led by Senior Director Tracy Garcia, our collaboration with Duke Energy also enhances OEP’s site readiness program, D.I.R.T. (Development Initiative for Regional Transformation), combining local insight with infrastructure expertise to drive quality job creation and sustainable growth across Central Florida.” n nThe 2025 Site Readiness Program locations include: n nWinnin LLLP Property, Seminole County, Central Florida n nCity of Perry Property, Taylor County, North Florida n nSherrill Property, Levy County, North Florida n nLake County Industrial Park, Lake County, Central Florida n nBar 7 Ranch, Osceola County, Central Florida n nFort Meade Industrial Site, Polk County, Central Florida n nDuke Energy Florida n nDuke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. n nDuke Energy n nDuke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. n nDuke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.