Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky has announced the recipients of its 2025 Economic Development Awards, recognizing organizations and individuals for their contributions to economic growth in the region. The awards, established in 2023, are presented annually within the company’s service areas in Ohio and Kentucky.
This year, the City of Fairfield (Ohio) received the Duke Energy Partner Achievement Award for its collaboration with Duke Energy on several projects during 2025 and ongoing development efforts over the past five years. Notable projects include expansion with Koch Foods and Pacific Manufacturing.
The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority was honored with the Duke Energy Visionary Achievement Award. The organization has played a key role in projects such as Givaudan in Reading (Ohio) and continues to work with Duke Energy on infrastructure planning, site assessments, and strategic development initiatives.
Internally, Martin Rios, Dina Riemann, Andre Rose from transactional legal support, and Roger Zimmerman, an electric distribution planner at Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky, were recognized with the Energizing Economic Development Award for their support of major projects and assistance with economic development requests.
According to company data from last year, collaboration between Duke Energy’s Economic Development team and regional partners led to more than $548 million in new capital investment and created over 1,000 jobs across Ohio and Kentucky. The company’s site readiness program has evaluated 42 sites since its inception to enhance competitiveness for industrial development.
Partnerships with organizations like REDI Cincinnati—the region’s main economic development group—and BE NKY Growth Partnership have contributed significantly to recent economic advances.
Amy Spiller, President of Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky said: “Through the efforts of our economic development team and local partners, we’ve been able to bring national and global organizations to our region. It gives us great pride to have supported these efforts, which ultimately landed opportunities for our communities to grow and prosper.”
Kimm Lauterbach, President & CEO of REDI Cincinnati added: “Duke Energy’s recognition of these award recipients reflects a deep commitment to advancing economic development across the Cincinnati region. Their support elevates the communities and partners whose work is driving impactful growth, expanding opportunity and shaping a stronger future for our region.”
Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky serves approximately 910,000 electricity customers over a 3,000-square-mile area as well as providing natural gas service to about 560,000 customers across 2,650 square miles in both states. Parent company Duke Energy is one of America’s largest energy holding companies by customer base; it operates electric utilities serving around 8.6 million customers across six states while also supplying natural gas services in four states.
The company is focused on modernizing its grid infrastructure while investing in cleaner generation sources such as renewables alongside traditional fuels like natural gas.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through their social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
