Cinergy/ULH&P Meets And Responds To Florence Officials

CINCINNATI, March 3, 2006 — The Cinergy Foundation has awarded more than $13,000 in grants to Florence organizations and programs through the company's Community Outreach program.

"We are committed to assisting the communities we serve in accomplishing their goals," Rhonda Whitaker, area manager for Cinergy's Kentucky affiliate The Union Light & Power. "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 Florence 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 dinner 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 $5,000 grant awarded to support a community festival of the City's choice.
• A $2,000 grant to purchase equipment for community parks.
  
• A $2,000 grant available to teachers in Boone County schools which would enable them to attend professional development seminars and conferences.
  
• A $1,500 grant for city staff to attend regional/national economic development programs that would generate ideas for the improvement of retail growth in the Mall Road area.
  
• A $1,500 grant to United Ministries for social service programs in the area.
  
• A $1,000 grant to Dinsmore Homestead for its Derby Day fundraiser.
  
• A $500 grant to purchase LED flares for the Florence Police Department to improve safety at emergency scenes.
  
• Cinergy gas and electric safety experts will continue to provide safety demonstrations for local emergency personnel.

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.