Duke Energy Grant awarded to Davidson-Davie Community College to support small businesses

Last week, the Duke Energy Foundation announced it has granted $25,000 to the Davidson-Davie Community College Foundation to support small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology and improve storefronts in Thomasville, NC.

Representatives from Davidson-Davie Community College, Thomasville and Duke Energy pose in front of Davidson-Davie backdrop with large check for 25,000

The grant is part of $700,000 in new funding made available to North Carolina small businesses in partnership with community development organizations like Davidson-Davie.

Small business grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be distributed through 20 community organizations to support retail shops, restaurants and other small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology and improve downtown storefronts.

Now in its fourth year, the program has provided over $2 million in funding to small businesses since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

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.

“We are excited to receive this $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to help further the revitalization of downtown Thomasville” said Dr. Dee Stokes, Director of Davidson-Davie’s Small Business Center. “Our Small Business Center often gets requests for grant monies from local business owners. This grant will allow us to assist them with needed modifications to their space, purchasing new equipment, renovations, and other needs to grow their small business.”

The Davidson-Davie Community College Small Business Center plans to re-grant the funds to downtown businesses in Thomasville to promote the revitalization and sustainability of the downtown area.

For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation and its initiatives, visit https://www.duke-energy.com/community/duke-energy-foundation