2025 Duke Energy Hometown Revitalization Grant Program – $30,000 Available!
The Clermont Chamber of Commerce Foundation is proud to once again partner with the Duke Energy Foundation to offer the Hometown Revitalization Grant Program in 2025. Since 2020, these funds have supported small businesses across Duke Energy’s Ohio and Kentucky service territory, especially those that are minority, female, or veteran-owned.
The Clermont Chamber Foundation has distributed 18 grants, totaling $77,500 to members since the program was created. This year, the Chamber is expanding access to the program by launching an open application process for the first time, ensuring a broader range of eligible businesses can apply for support. In years past, the Chamber selected businesses internally.
Grant applications are now closed. Grant recipients will be notified by August 19, 2025 and awarded in October/November 2025.
The Hometown Revitalization Grant Program is designed to help small businesses thrive by providing financial support for projects that enhance commerce opportunities, expand capacity, improve storefronts, and address workforce needs. Examples of eligible expenses include physical space improvements, online sales technology, signage, furniture, job listing services, and training tuition. Payroll, incentive pay, rent, and utilities are ineligible.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a current Clermont Chamber member in good standing
- Have maintained Chamber membership for at least two years
- Have fewer than 50 employees
- Be a Duke Energy customer
Award amounts are at the discretion and approval of the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, but requests can range from $500 to $10,000.
Appropriate small business expenditures include:
- Enhanced service opportunities, such as modifying physical space, technology to improve online sales, or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services.
- Furniture for expanded space, including outdoor space and materials for the construction of takeout windows, accessibility compliance for additional outdoor seating, additional fixtures required for public health issues.
- Storefront beautification projects enhancing the appearance of the business, including exterior paint, awnings, signage or planters.
- Tools or programs to support the business’s workforce needs. For example, working with a recruiter, paying to list job opportunities or tuition for a training program for employees.
Awards cannot be used for:
- Payroll
- Incentive pay
- Rent and utilities
- Loan/credit card payments
Interested businesses must complete and submit an online application by August 8, 2025. The application will include questions regarding the proposed use of funds, anticipated impact, budget, and alignment with the program’s purpose. Chamber staff will review submissions and select recipients based on a scoring rubric.