The Cool Spring Downtown District is among 20 nonprofit recipients of a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The Foundation distributed $500,000 in grants on Sept. 7 to help small businesses throughout North Carolina proceed with their ongoing recovery from economic challenges triggered by the pandemic. This is the second year Duke Energy has provided targeted grants in support of downtowns throughout the state.

“Local storefronts and businesses are the heartbeat of towns across our service territory,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president in a press release. “Last year’s inaugural Hometown Revitalization grants showed us the difference that strategic grants can make for towns throughout North Carolina. We’re  honored to partner with local nonprofits and businesses to help build more vibrant communities.” 

 CSDD will establish a small-business support microgrant program and deploy the funding within their local community by January 2023. The microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business. 

Cool Spring Downtown District is proud to be one of the 20 North Carolina recipients. The application for the Downtown Fayetteville Hometown Revitalization Grant will be launched by October 15, 2022.  

“Through the Duke Hometown Revitalization Grant funding, Cool Spring Downtown District will be able to support the economic vitality of the many restaurants, galleries, retail, and commercial small businesses in historic Downtown Fayetteville that makes the district the beating heart of commerce and entertainment in our community,” shared President/CEO of Cool Spring Downtown District Bianca Shoneman in a press release.