The City of Spartanburg received a $100,000 grant from the Water Resources Fund, a $10 million commitment from Duke Energy to help fund the development of a 1/2-mile linear park adjacent to the soon-to-be daylighted Butterfly Creek on the Northside.
“This grant will help us realize our vision on the city’s Northside while making a significant positive environmental impact that will benefit the larger community and region,” said City Manager Ed Memmott. “We thank Duke Energy for its support and are eager to launch this project so that we can continue serving our local waterways.”
More information on the Northside Initiative can be found here and here.
The City of Spartanburg is one of 15 organizations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to collectively receive more than $1 million in the first grant announcement of 2015. The Water Resources Fund is a multi-year commitment that will leave a legacy of improved water quality, quantity and conservation in the Carolinas and neighboring regions.
“The Water Resources Fund is a testament to Duke Energy’s long history of investing in the health and vitality of our communities,” said Stick Williams, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “We look forward to our partnership with the City of Spartanburg and the impact this grant will have in the Northside and beyond.”
The Duke Energy Foundation and community leaders will gather on April 30 to honor the inaugural Water Resource Fund grant recipients and celebrate their ongoing commitment to communities across the Carolinas. Investment decisions are carefully reviewed by the Water Resources Fund committee, an independent body that includes five environmental experts and two Duke Energy employees. Selected projects are chosen on several criteria, including whether the project is science-based and research-supported. Duke Energy anticipates two grant announcements per year over the course of five years. Applications for the next Water Resources Fund grant cycle are due May 15, 2015.
An information session will also be available to interested organizations April 1. Please visit nccommunityfoundation.org for more information on how to apply and register for the session.