PLAINFIELD, Ind., June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Duke Energy
Foundation grants totaling more than $113,000 will help improve broadband internet
access in underserved areas in 15 Indiana counties.
The foundation has awarded a grant of $100,000 to the Purdue Center for Regional
Development to work with counties to develop "digital inclusion
plans" to assess broadband access and needs. The targeted counties
will receive $5,000 each to develop
the plans.
"Whether it was remote work, distance learning, or telehealth,
the pandemic reinforced the value of broadband access and
highlighted a digital divide between those who have access to the
internet and those who do not," said Stan
Pinegar, Duke Energy Indiana state president. "As I visit
community leaders and customers in our service area, the urgent
need for improved connectivity inevitably comes up. We want to make
sure that Indiana can compete in
today's rapidly digitizing economy and society. Internet access has
become an essential part of everyday life.
Counties selected will be in Duke Energy's 69-county
Indiana service area and will need
to complete an application to the Purdue Center for Regional
Development to be considered for participation. Visit
https://pcrd.purdue.edu/act to apply.
"Before we can tackle a challenge, we need a road map and
resources that show us where needs are and how we can fill the
gaps," said Dr. Roberto Gallardo,
director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development. "With the
support of the Duke Energy Foundation grant, we can provide the
technical assistance that will help local communities develop or
implement their plans to address digital exclusion today."
The Duke Energy Foundation is also supporting the recently
announced Indiana Rural Broadband Strategic Partnership aimed
at strengthening broadband infrastructure throughout Indiana. The Indiana Farm Bureau and five
other organizations are leading the effort that measures how widely
broadband is used by citizens.
The initiative encourages residents to participate in the free,
anonymous broadband speed test that can be done on any device
connected to the internet. No personal information is collected.
The information gathered will help direct investments in critical
infrastructure that will expand the availability of high-quality
internet access across the state. The Duke Energy Foundation grant
of approximately $13,000 will help
pay for the software involved.
Duke Energy Indiana and Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK),
provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to
approximately 840,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service
area, making it Indiana's largest
electric supplier.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to
meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and
work. In Indiana, the Foundation
contributes more than $2 million
annually in charitable gifts funded by Duke Energy shareholder
dollars.
Media contact: Angeline
Protogere
Office: 317.838.1338
Media line: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy