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Sixty-six sites evaluated, attracting 2,875 new jobs to Florida since its launch in 2013
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Duke Energy selected five high-potential business and industrial sites in Florida to participate in its 2026 Site Readiness Program.
The program prepares high-potential business and industrial sites for investment, then markets them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.
Bringing investments, jobs to Florida: Since 2013, Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 66 sites with an additional 13 companies committed to growing on sites that have been through the program. Those companies delivered over $773 million in new capital investment and 2,875 new jobs for Florida.
The Monin, Inc. location in Pasco County demonstrates the Site Readiness Program’s community impact. The company is new to the region and will be located at the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park site, resulting in 100 new jobs and $100 million in capital investment for the local community. The site can be parceled out so multiple companies can use the space.
About 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.
During the program, consultants, designers and engineers are engaged to analyze the sites.
Together, the team works with state, regional, and local economic development organizations, the landowners, community government and other utilities to ultimately improve and increase awareness of industrial sites.
What they’re saying
Melissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida: “The Site Readiness program has seen incredible growth year-over-year as our team has worked hard to attract in-demand businesses to Florida. Many of these organizations are new to the region and invest heavily in our state. The Site Readiness program is just one of the many ways that we work with communities to help infuse new growth and long-term stability into the state we all call home.”
Karen VanAernam, economic development, Dixie County Board of County Commissioners: “We are grateful to Duke Energy for the opportunity to participate in the Site Readiness Program here in Dixie County. As first-time participants, we learned a great deal about the time, effort and teamwork involved. I believe it was well worth it to help prepare and position our community for future economic development opportunities.”
Bill Cronin, president and CEO, Pasco Economic Development Council: “Economic development success begins long before a company makes a location decision. Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program helps Pasco County turn potential into opportunity by preparing strategic properties like the Zephyrhills Airport Ready Site for future investment. Through this valuable partnership, we are reducing barriers to development, strengthening our competitiveness, and positioning Pasco County to attract quality jobs and new industries. This is intentional economic development at its best...investing today to create opportunities for tomorrow.”
The 2026 Site Readiness Program locations include:
- Sumter Springs, Sumter County, North Central Florida
- DeLand Airport Industrial Site, Volusia County, Central Florida
- King Property, Dixie County, North Florida
- Bell Property, Lafayette County, North Florida
- Lee Peanut Farms, Madison County, North Florida
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: Laitin Sterling
24-Hour: 800.559.3853