HENDERSON — The Duke Energy Foundation has distributed $500,000 in grants to help small businesses across North Carolina — from restaurants to retailers — continue their ongoing recovery from economic challenges initially triggered by the pandemic. This is the second year Duke Energy has provided targeted grants in support of downtowns throughout the state.
The $25,000 grants were awarded to 20 nonprofits, each representing one community. That organization will establish a small-business support microgrant program and deploy the funding within their local community by January 2023. The microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business.
“Local storefronts and businesses are the heartbeat of towns across our service territory,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Last year’s inaugural Hometown Revitalization grants showed us the difference that strategic grants can make for towns throughout North Carolina. We’re honored to partner with local nonprofits and businesses to help build more vibrant communities.”
The Hometown Revitalization grants were awarded to 20 community organizations including Gateway Community Development Corp. Vance.
The Hometown Revitalization grant program was inspired by a successful collaboration between the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Duke Energy that provided nearly 100 grants to downtown Raleigh storefronts. Last year, Duke Energy broadened that impact to small towns and rural communities across the state with its inaugural Hometown Revitalization grants. The grants allowed downtown storefronts the opportunity to create outdoor seating and serving opportunities, develop e-commerce websites, repair window fronts, and upgrade health and safety elements.
Small businesses interested in learning about how the program will be rolled out in their communities should inquire with the local nonprofit administering the microgrants.
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