Duke Energy Foundation Awards $275,000 To Support More Than 60 Small Businesses in Ohio, Kentucky

• Duke Energy coordinates with local chambers to distribute funds
• Grants to support minority-, women-, or veteran-owned small businesses

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2023 / November 25th was Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting small businesses that keep communities vibrant. The Duke Energy Foundation has partnered with six local chambers of commerce and the Miami University Small Business Office to award $275,000 in grants to more than 60 local small businesses.

Under this partnership, the Duke Energy Foundation supplies the funding, while the chambers and Miami University Small Business Office determine the businesses to which the funds are granted. Preference is given to minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. Funds may be used for a broad array of expenditures including but not limited to physical space adaptability and beautification, technology improvements, talent sourcing, job posting fees, and professional development training costs.

"With the holidays upon us, our local small businesses are working tirelessly to serve their customers," said Amy Spiller, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "We hope these funds bring a little extra cheer to those business owners who continue to navigate the current economy. And, as always, we encourage everyone to shop small."

The Small Business Assistance grant program was first developed in 2020 to help small businesses survive and rebound from the pandemic. Since then, the Duke Energy Foundation has partnered with local chambers to provide approximately $880,000 in assistance to small businesses.

"Duke Energy continues to be an important partner to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, and a great neighbor to our region's small business community," said Brendon Cull, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Chamber. "We hope these small business owners understand how critically important they are to our local economy and feel supported this season."

The following small businesses have been selected to receive this year's Duke Energy Foundation Small Business Assistance Grants:

Brown County Chamber of Commerce ($25,000)

• Bushel N A Peck LLC
• Curry's Crafting Corner
• Hometown Screen Printing
• Jail Break Inn
• Lu Lu's Suds
• National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Brown County
• R. Varney Photography & Marketing
• R&R Poultry Farm
• Redeemed Homestead

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber ($75,000)