Duke Energy awards grants to local economic development organizations to boost growth, job creation in northern Indiana

Release courtesy of Duke Energy

PLAINFIELD, Ind. – Duke Energy has selected five economic development organizations in northern Indiana for inclusion in its 2025 Partnership Program, which funds marketing and strategic efforts to attract new jobs and investment in the state.

“This program gives our local economic development partners the tools they need to showcase the strengths of their communities – both at home and on the national stage,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy. “It’s just one of the many ways we’re helping influence growth in the state to build competitive, thriving communities.”

Partnership Program grant funds can be used to support a wide array of marketing initiatives, including trade show attendance, website redesign, promotional materials, and presentations or tours to introduce prospective companies and site selectors to a community. 

To qualify for program consideration, each applicant submitted a plan that would have a direct impact on their community’s economic growth. Grant amounts varied depending on the size and scope of the project.

This year, grants were awarded to the following northern Indiana organizations:

• Carroll County Economic Development Corporation – $5,000
  Grant funds will support the development of an agricultural economic development strategy in Carroll County. In partnership with the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, this strategy is aimed at assessing local agricultural assets, identifying value added opportunities, and creating a roadmap for rural economic growth by leveraging our agricultural assets. The funding will help engage local stakeholders, conduct research, and develop targeted strategies to strengthen Carroll County’s ag-based economy.
• Greater Lafayette Commerce – $5,000
  Grant funds will support Greater Lafayette Commerce’s work with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation to launch an internship program during the summer of 2025. This program is designed to complement and enhance existing employer internship programs by providing college interns from all sectors with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore all that the Greater Lafayette community has to offer.
• Grow Wabash County – $5,000
  Grant funds will support the development of a marketing plan to promote three industrial parks – the Wabash Business Complex, North Manchester Industrial Complex and Wedcor Industrial Park.
• Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership – $5,000
  Grant funds will support a three-day, three-region site selection consultant northeast Indiana tour. The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, Northwest Indiana Forum and South Bend/Elkhart Regional Partnership are partnering for the third annual “Indiana On Top Tour” to expose six to eight site selection consultants to northern Indiana and the assets that make the region a great place to live and do business.
• Purdue Research Foundation – $5,000
  Grant funds will support a Purdue Research Foundation networking event with site selectors attending the Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum in October 2025.
   

Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 910,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.