Charleston Reporter

Florence County has received $15,000 in grants from Duke Energy to improve water quality and access at Lake Brook Park, according to a recent release.

In a statement to Duke Energy, the Florence County Administrator K.G. “Rusty” Smith Jr. thanked the foundation for the grant to enhance water quality, help sustain natural resources and improve the quality of life for county and state residents.

“We are committed to making strategic investments to build powerful communities where nature and wildlife thrive,” Michael Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president, said in the release. “By supporting the organizations that do this great work, we can help protect, restore and enhance natural resources, provide valuable educational opportunities and promote access to nature for South Carolinians of all ages.”

The Florence County grant was just one in $500,000 worth of grants handed out by Duke Energy to 16 organizations, funding wildlife conservation efforts, environmental projects and educational programs across South Carolina.

The grants were awarded to each of the following organizations:  Ann Springs Close Greenway, Audubon South Carolina, Beautiful Places Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, Florence County, Francis Marion University, Greenville Revitalization Corporation, Kalmia Gardens, Partners for Active Living, Pee Dee Land Trust, Roper Mountain Science Center, Save our Saluda, Spartanburg Area Conservancy, Spartanburg Community College, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina and Trees Upstate.

Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies, serving 7.9 million customers, the release states. Collectively owning 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity, the company’s natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers across the U.S. and employs 27,500 individuals.