Work in Burke Receives Duke Energy Foundation Grant

Funding Provides More Opportunities for Engineering Camps and Competitions

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (May 17, 2019) – The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded a Powerful Communities grant to Burke Development, Inc. and Work in Burke. The $20,000 grant will provide opportunities for more students to participate in Burke County Public Schools engineering camps and competitions.

Work in Burke is a partnership between Burke Development, Inc., Burke County Public Schools, Western Piedmont Community College, the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board and employers to inform students and parents about education and career opportunities available in Burke County.

“We’re glad to have this support from the Duke Energy Foundation so more students can experience engineering camps and competitions,” said Alan Wood, President and CEO of Burke Development, Inc. “Ever since we started Work in Burke, Burke County Public Schools has been one of our strongest partners and supporters. This grant will give us even more opportunities to work together and encourage students to pursue a career that allows them to be successful staying here in Burke County.”

The grant will build on existing BCPS energy and engineering programs by increasing activities in 2019 and engagement from both low-income and minority students. The project will give opportunities specifically to girls by creating a girls only summer engineering camp and to low-income students by reserving summer camp reservations for them and covering the cost of their participation. The grant will also support:

• the MADE Competition, an event hosted by the City of Morganton that provides a snapshot to thousands of Burke citizens, parents and employers about the skills and abilities of BCPS students;
• Regional and State Competitions, an opportunity for BCPS students to advance their knowledge in the energy and engineering fields and participate in activities outside of normal school hours to showcase their skills, talents and abilities related to engineering and energy.
• Professional Development, to support several teacher’s attendance at the NC Technology in Education Society conference and CTE Summer Conference.

Dr. Larry Putnam, superintendent of Burke County Public Schools, said, “Our sincerest appreciation goes to Duke Energy and to Work in Burke for this funding that will provide valuable engineering opportunities for our students. I am excited beyond measure for the students who will participate in these programs, and I can’t wait to see what they create. My hope, too, is that this opportunity will help spark an interest in a STEM-related career these students may not have otherwise considered. Thank you to Duke Energy and best wishes to the students who will benefit.”

The Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities program makes strategic investments to build powerful communities where our natural resources thrive, students can excel, and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. The Foundation annually funds more than $30 million to communities throughout Duke Energy’s seven-state service area.

“Duke Energy is proud to partner with Work in Burke to help expose more students to career opportunities in energy and engineering,” said Robin Nicholson, Duke Energy district manager. “These students are our future workforce and it’s important we help set them up for success right here in Burke County.”

About Burke Development, Inc.

Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI visit www.BurkeDevInc.com.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy’s 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 and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 125 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2019 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2018 “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.

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Contact:

Alan Wood

828.764.1818