The Duke Energy Foundation announced that $50,000 in new funding will be available for Alexander County businesses through a grant awarded to the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC). The foundation awarded a total of $700,000 to community development organizations across North Carolina.
The one-time Business and Workforce Support Grant administered by ACEDC will help small businesses and childcare centers in Alexander County thrive in the post-pandemic economic environment. Small businesses play a critical role in the state’s economic health and employ nearly half of North Carolina’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“The Duke Energy Business and Workforce Support Grant of $50,000 presented to the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation is a testament to our commitment to support and invigorate small businesses in Alexander County. This funding will provide essential resources and opportunities for growth, helping to foster a vibrant local economy,” said Robin Nicholson, Government and Community Relations District Manager for Duke Energy.
The ACEDC Business and Workforce Support Grant program will focus on providing one-time grants to businesses physically located in Alexander County that are challenged by changes in the post-pandemic economy. The grant program will also target assistance to existing childcare centers to help expand their daily enrollment as access to available childcare is critical in supporting families. By expanding accessibility to childcare, parents may retain gainful employment and businesses may retain their skilled workforce.
“Alexander County and the Duke Energy Foundation have a long-standing partnership,” said Connie Kincaid, Business Development Manager for Alexander County. “The generosity of the Duke Energy Foundation with the award of $50,000 will further enhance our ability to help small businesses thrive, assist with childcare center expansions to support employee retention, and stimulate economic development throughout the county.”
All grant projects will be focused on at least one of the following areas: modifying physical space, improving an e-commerce site for online sales or building e-commerce platforms, expanding capacity for delivering goods and services, purchase of business equipment, and/or building ADA accessibility and public health compliance.
The Business and Workforce Support Grants will be limited to a maximum of $5,000 and a minimum of $1,000. The one-time reimbursable matching grant must be equally matched by the business receiving the grant. Businesses in multiple communities across the county are eligible; however, awards will be based on the quality of the applications with grant amounts based on the number of quality applications received.
Grant applications for business development or childcare centers are available at https://alexanderedc.org/grant-application. Applications are due by noon on September 30, 2024. For more information, contact Connie Kincaid at 828-352-7757 or ckincaid@alexandercountync.gov.
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 (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, is one of America’s largest energy holding companies.