ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-seven organizations that are strengthening the workforce, supporting business growth and fostering economic development in Florida just received a collective $326,500 from Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation. From nonprofits to government entities, these grant recipients will use the funds to promote careers in emerging industries, attract high-potential companies and/or make it easier to do business in the state.

Our view

"Every day, more and more people are making beautiful, sunny Florida their home," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "By supporting strategic research, planning and investment, we're helping ensure the state's economy keeps up with this rapid growth and that it remains competitive both nationally and globally. Ultimately, our goal is to allow Floridians to continue pursuing promising opportunities, provide for themselves and their families and prosper now and into the future."

High-impact investments

Examples of how the grants will be used include:

- Updating Wakulla County's 2022 Economic Development Strategic Plan to address workforce needs stemming from new businesses in the area while also exploring ag-tech and aquaculture opportunities.

- Deploying an interactive online tool to share Orlando's new capability-led approach to economic development – focused on the city's specific strengths rather than traditional industry categories – with potential investors.

- Conducting an economic impact analysis to quantify the value of entrepreneurship and business retention, expansion and attraction efforts in Pasco County, providing data-driven insights to support future decision-making.

Positive response

- "Being from a small rural community, I know how important it is to have partners who see our potential and are willing to invest in our future," said Chelsea Morgan, North Florida Economic Development Partnership Foundation Board of Directors Lafayette County liaison. "Working with Duke Energy on this project means a lot to me because it gives Lafayette County resources, exposure and opportunities that can help us grow while still keeping the things that make our community special. I'm grateful for the relationship we've built and for Duke Energy's continued commitment to supporting rural communities like ours."

- "Strong partnerships help build strong communities," said Andria Herr, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners chair. "Duke Energy's support will help more entrepreneurs and small businesses discover the resources available to grow, create jobs and contribute to Seminole County's economy."

- "Duke Energy's investment will help Clearwater attract businesses, generate quality jobs, expand our economic base and strengthen our community's long-term economic competitiveness," said Christopher Edwards, City of Clearwater director of economic development and housing. "This partnership allows us to proactively position Clearwater for an urban renaissance of private investment."

All grant recipients

Statewide ($35,000)

- Florida Economic Development Council Research & Education Foundation ($20,000)

- FloridaMakes ($15,000)

North Florida ($104,000)

- City of Jasper ($10,000)

- Florida's Great Northwest ($10,000)

- Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- Levy County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- North Florida Economic Development Partnership Foundation ($15,000)

- Suwannee County Economic Development Office ($25,000)

- Taylor County Development Authority ($7,000)

- Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners ($7,000)

Central Florida ($67,500)

- City of DeBary ($10,000)

- Daytona Beach Community Foundation ($12,500)

- Foundation for Orlando's Future ($15,000)

- Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership Foundation ($10,000)

- Seminole County Board of County Commissioners ($5,000)

- Sumter County Economic Development ($15,000)

Greater Tampa Bay Area ($120,000)

- Citrus County Economic Development ($10,000)

- City of Clearwater ($16,000)

- City of Haines City ($15,000)

- City of Treasure Island ($5,000)

- City of Winter Haven ($9,000)

- Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation Foundation ($20,000)

- Hernando County Office of Economic Development ($10,000)

- Highlands County Board of County Commissioners ($15,000)

- Lake Wales Area Foundation ($10,000)

- Pasco Economic Development Council ($10,000)

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides nearly $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke 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. 

Duke Energy

Duke 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 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

Contact: AlyRaschid

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

X: @DE_AlyRaschid

SOURCE Duke Energy

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