Duke Energy District Manager Lisa Leatherman (left) presents Nantahala Health Foundation Executive Director Lori Bailey (right) with $25,000 for distribution to small businesses in Andrews as part of Duke’s Hometown Revitalization Program. Also pictured are, from left, Tom O’Brien, Andrews businessman; Tim Radford of WKRK Murphy Radio; Lisa Duff, Associate Director of Nantahala Health Foundation; Lance Bristol, Andrews High School Principal; and Andrews Mayor James Reid. O’Brien, Radford, Bristol, and Reid will serve on the application review committee. ~ Photo by Penny Ray / Cherokee Scout
September 28, 2021
Hometown Revitalization grants provide $25,000 in funding for 30 local microgrant programs, including the Advantage Andrews program administered by Nantahala Health Foundation.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Duke Energy Foundation today distributed $750,000 in grants to help local businesses across North Carolina – from restaurants to retailers – adapt to the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic.
The total represents a 50% increase over the $500,000 in funding announced in April due to the breadth and quality of the funding applications. As a result, the Hometown Revitalization grant program will now support 30 communities throughout the state rather than the original 20 planned at the program’s inception.
“After our success in supporting the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which was the model for this program, we knew that a series of targeted grants could do wonders to help North Carolina businesses and storefronts recover,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “We were astounded by the number and quality of the applications, so we decided to increase the foundation’s commitment and help even more downtown communities bounce back.”
Each community was awarded $25,000 through a partnership with these local 501(c)(3)-administering nonprofits. As the administering entity, Nantahala Health Foundation has established a small-business support microgrant program to deploy funding within the Andrews town limits. Microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business.
“For nearly two years, COVID-19 has forced business owners in Andrews to walk a fine line between eking out a living and shuttering their establishments,” said Lori Bailey, executive director, Nantahala Health Foundation. “As an organization focused on improving individual health outcomes, we understand that strengthening the places we live, learn, work and play will ultimately enhance well-being for all. That’s why we are so thankful to be partnering with Duke Energy Foundation and the Town of Andrews in this vital recovery effort.”
Nantahala Health Foundation is anticipating offering an open call for applications from October 4 – November 5. Awards will be made through a fair, competitive process with final decisions made by Town of Andrews representatives. Full application details can be found HERE.
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. The grants allowed the establishments the opportunity to create outdoor seating and serving opportunities, develop e-commerce websites, repair window fronts, and upgrade health and safety elements.
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the Foundation can be found HERE.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2021 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.