CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Carolinas has chosen five sites in North Carolina to participate in its 2014 Site Readiness Program to prepare each location for potential industrial development.

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The sites are:


    --  Rowan County -- Carlton-Thomas property, a 600-acre tract near Salisbury
        located on Long Ferry Road, approximately 1 mile east of Interstate
        I-85. It has easy access to necessary utilities such as electric, water,
        natural gas and sewer.
    --  Chatham County - A 1,470-acre parcel near Moncure located at the
        intersection of Old U.S. 1 and U.S. Highway 1, near the Cape Fear Power
        Plant. The site has rail service and access to multiple transmission
        power sources.
    --  Vance County - The 450-acre Ellington Tract property located at the
        intersection of U.S. 1 and Warrenton Road in Henderson and less than 2
        miles from Interstate 85. The site has the potential for rail service
        and access to necessary utilities such as electric, water, natural gas
        and sewer.
    --  Lincoln County -- An approximate 100-acre tract of land at the corner of
        Startown and Clark Creek Roads in Lincolnton. It has been selected as a
        potential data center site.
    --  Guilford County -- A 320-acre tract northeast of Greensboro, N.C., that
        has easy access to necessary utilities such as electric, water and
        fiber. While in a remote location, it is a short drive to Highway 29.

As part of a six-month assessment, Duke Energy has hired McCallum Sweeney, a nationally known consulting firm, to conduct site studies. McCallum Sweeney has been instrumental in many high-profile industrial locations and expansions.

After the properties are assessed and prepared, Duke Energy industry recruiters will actively market each site nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.

"Our competitive edge comes from offering our customers affordable and reliable electricity. The cost of electricity is a big part of an industry's budget. Not only are our prices competitive in the Southeast, but they are below the national average," said Stu Heishman, Duke Energy's vice president of economic development.

Ideal properties for Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program are 75 acres or larger, served by the utility. A qualified site can be suited for a single, large industrial facility, data center or potential industrial park (multi-tenant site).

Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program is designed to help communities served by the utility compete for new businesses and jobs. The company's program is nationally recognized. The September edition of Site Selection magazine has named Duke Energy to its annual list of Top 10 Utilities of 2014 in Economic Development.

For more information about Duke Energy's economic development programs, visit www.considerthecarolinas.com.

Duke Energy
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com.

Contact: Lisa Parrish
Office: 980.373.2878 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy