Grant Funding to Beautify Storefronts

For the fourth year in a row, Duke Energy is offering grants through The Duke Energy Foundation to help beautify small business storefronts in 20 cities throughout North Carolina.

Small business grants will be distributed through community organizations to support retail shops, restaurants and other small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology and improve storefronts throughout the downtown areas of our state.

In total, this grant program has provided over $2 million in funding to small businesses since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s $700,000 investment in small business continues Duke Energy’s contribution to economic growth in North Carolina. We believe that small businesses help define the character of our communities and are proud to support their growth.

“The Duke Energy Foundation’s small business grant program has helped fuel a resurgence of entrepreneurial small businesses in North Carolina ranging from bookstores to restaurants”, said Kendall Bowman, president of Duke Energy North Carolina. “These small business grants ensure Main Streets across our state are well positioned to benefit from economic development efforts.”

Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College, sees the funding as essential to community improvement efforts.

“Small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, and in rural areas, they also serve as the heartbeat of our local economies. This monetary commitment enables Vance-Granville Community College to promote the entrepreneurial mindset and support budding small business ideas into real businesses within our larger community”, said Desmarais.

Small businesses interested in applying for grant funding are encouraged to inquire with the local nonprofit administering the program for their community.