Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to create an advanced online tool that will allow users to compare the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) key business location factors with the 30 largest U.S. regions.
This tool, designed to generate new business development leads, create jobs, and drive investment in the Orlando region, aims to reshape Orlando’s national reputation, attract investment, and fuel job growth and opportunities throughout the region. By enhancing Orlando’s profile as a top MSA, the tool will educate stakeholders on the region’s compelling business proposition.
OEP is one of 15 economic development organizations working to attract businesses to the state in Florida to collectively receive $200,000 in grants from the Duke Energy Foundation to bolster Florida’s vibrant economy. With this grant, the OEP’s Research & Strategy team will develop an online tool to reinforce the Orlando region’s status as a major U.S. business location and promote its competitive position.
“Companies often consider establishing, expanding or relocating their operations to Florida because of the state’s economic strength,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.
It’s a privilege to support innovative strategies that will build on that success and help ensure our economy continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president
The tool allows users to compare the Orlando region with the most populous U.S. destinations across five categories: Economy, Workforce, Business Climate, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life. It highlights Orlando’s strengths that will generate new leads, create jobs, and enhance Orlando’s perception as a top 30 MSA – overall providing an economic boost to central Florida communities.
This grant will enable us to enhance our efforts in promoting Orlando as a prime business location. We are grateful for Duke Energy Foundation’s support in helping us build a stronger, more competitive region.
Tim Giuliani, President and CEO of the OEP
“The Duke Energy Foundation’s grant will allow us to have a tool designed to generate new business development leads, create jobs and drive investment in the Orlando region,” said Neil Hamilton, OEP’s vice president of Research & Strategy.
Having access to this data will be invaluable to our economic development efforts, and we are confident it will attract new business opportunities and elevate Orlando’s standing as a top metropolitan area.
Neil Hamilton, OEP Vice President of Research & Strategy
The Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities program makes strategic investments to build powerful communities where our natural resources thrive, students can excel, and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. The Foundation annually funds more than $30 million to communities throughout Duke Energy’s seven-state service area.
A complete list of grant recipients can be found below, with additional details available here.
ABOUT ORLANDO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) is an economic and community development organization that is seizing the moment to advance Broad-based Prosperity® and create a more prosperous economy for all. Through the power of partnerships, we grow the economy, drive investment, improve competitiveness and fuel regional leadership. Learn why opportunity in Orlando is Unbelievably Real™ at InvestOrlando.org.
ABOUT DUKE ENERGY
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $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 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 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 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio | Director of Communications | jennifer.marcial@orlando.org | 407-902-0221
