Cinergy/CG&E Meets and Responds to Harrison Officials

CINCINNATI, February 17, 2006 - The Cinergy Foundation has awarded more than $15,000 in grants to the City of Harrison organizations and programs through the company’s Community Outreach program.

“We are committed to assisting the communities we serve in accomplishing their goals,” said Marvin Blade, central area manager for Cinergy’s Ohio affiliate The Cincinnati Gas & Electric. “Our company’s success is directly linked to the growth and success of the communities in our service area.”

Cinergy officials met with a cross section of community leaders from Harrison over several weeks to hear their perspectives on key successes and issues. The meetings also provided an opportunity to update community officials on Cinergy activities and answer any questions concerning the pending merger with Duke Energy.

Recently Cinergy representatives and community leaders met for a luncheon to hear the results of the interviews. One of the outcomes of the interviews was Cinergy grants targeted to areas of need identified in the community. The grants, funded by the Foundation, include:

• A $10,000 grant awarded specifically for consulting services to develop a strategic economic development plan for the City of Harrison. Harrison and Cinergy representatives will collaborate with the Hamilton County Development Company, the county’s economic development agency, to accomplish this project.
• A $2,500 grant to Harrison Main Street, Inc. This money will be used to plan a ‘defining’ community event in addition to providing on-going support to Main Street’s efforts to promote a vibrant downtown business district.
• A $2,500 grant to the fire department for the purchase of “Life-Pack” equipment.
• Cinergy has pledged to develop a mentoring program for Harrison High School students to demonstrate career and educational opportunities in the utility industry.
• Cinergy will donate 30 hours of in-house consulting services for the development of a marketing plan for the Community Services (Senior Services) Organization promoting services offered to the community and organizational fundraising objectives.

Through the Cinergy Foundation, Cinergy Corp. contributes one percent of its pretax profits in the communities it serves in support of the arts, education, human services and community development. Through its operating companies, Cinergy serves 790,000 electric and 500,000 gas customers in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.