Duke Energy Helps North Carolina Attract Jobs and Investment

Site Readiness Program has delivered over 48,000 new jobs and $53 billion in capital investment since 2005.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Duke Energy is partnering with several North Carolina properties to include them in its Site Readiness Program, which prepares high-potential industrial sites for economic development investments. The program has helped deliver over 48,000 new jobs and $53 billion in capital investment in North Carolina since 2005. In 2025, several new sites were identified for participation in the program, including locations in Harnett, Jackson, Wilkes, Cabarrus, Rowan, and Alamance counties.

Why it matters

Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program plays a key role in North Carolina's economic development strategy, helping the state attract large-scale projects that create jobs and expand the tax base. The program's success has contributed to North Carolina being named the top state for business, manufacturing, and workforce readiness.

The details

Under the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy works with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and local economic development organizations to assess and improve industrial sites, making them more competitive for future investments. This results in new jobs and a greater tax base for local communities. Since 2005, projects located on Site Readiness Program sites have announced $53 billion in capital investments and nearly 48,500 new jobs.

  • In 2025, several sites were identified for Site Readiness participation.
  • Since 2005, Duke Energy's economic development efforts have been recognized by Site Selection magazine in the publication's annual list of "Top Utilities in Economic Development" for 21 consecutive years.

The players

Duke Energy

A Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and one of America's largest energy holding companies. Duke Energy's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in six states, and the company is executing an ambitious energy transition.

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

The organization that partners with Duke Energy on the overall strategy to improve and add to North Carolina's site inventory for economic development.

Kendal Bowman

Duke Energy's North Carolina president.

Christopher Chung

Chief executive officer for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“Duke Energy is proud to help drive North Carolina's economic growth by preparing communities to attract new jobs and investment. Our Site Readiness Program is a testament to the power of partnership and long-term vision, connecting local leaders, economic development organizations, and the state to create opportunities that benefit all North Carolinians.”

— Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president (Duke Energy)

“Duke Energy is an invaluable partner in North Carolina's economic development efforts, and there's no better example of that partnership than the Site Readiness Program. By helping identify sites that are ready for development, the program has supported projects that have brought tens of thousands of jobs to our state - lifting up families and communities across North Carolina.”

— Christopher Chung, Chief executive officer for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (Duke Energy)

The takeaway

Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program has been a key driver of North Carolina's economic success, helping the state attract major investments and create thousands of new jobs. The program's continued partnership with local leaders and economic development organizations demonstrates the power of collaboration in fostering sustainable growth and prosperity across the state.