WILMINGTON, NC – The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA announced today a $1,000,000 donation from Duke Energy Foundation. Duke Energy’s investment is a leading donation in the capital campaign to repair the ship’s hull and preserve the NORTH CAROLINA for generations to come.
In 1961, the NORTH CAROLINA was permanently moored in Wilmington thanks to the efforts and support of the public and private sectors. As the state’s World War II memorial to over 10,000 North Carolinians who served and died during the war, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA actively serves as a reflection of the greatest generation and the sacrifices that were made during that time.
Captain Terry Bragg, Executive Director for the Battleship, states, “The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is honored by Duke Energy’s outreach. Our Battleship today is recognized as an icon of bravery, freedom and heritage. With the generous donation from Duke Energy, we will be able to move forward with efforts to preserve this national landmark for future generations.”
“We’re proud to honor our veterans by leading the campaign to preserve this memorial,” said Lloyd Yates, Statewide Chairman for the Battleship’s Generations Campaign and Duke Energy’s executive vice president of Regulated Utilities. “The ship serves as a reminder of the profound sacrifice of North Carolinians and as an incredible teaching tool for visitors from across state.”
In July of 2009, the Battleship received notification from the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Command stating, “If the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Commission does not have a viable plan for the future dry-docking of this vessel, you (the Battleship) should either develop a dry-docking plan or prepare and provide the Navy with a plan for the eventual disposal of the ex-NORTH CAROLINA.”
The donation from Duke Energy is part of a growing effort to raise funds to meet the requests of the Navy, repair the hull of the ship as well as facilitate further expansion on the Battleship complex by providing greater cultivation, history, environmental and specialized education.
About Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation’s long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation’s dollars and guide the foundation’s giving. The foundation makes grants supporting the environment, economic development, education and community vitality. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. In 2013, the foundation will make an additional one-time commitment of $20 million to support low-income energy assistance and workforce development in North Carolina. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.
About the Battleship North Carolina
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship’s Store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels. Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River. Visit www.battleshipnc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information. Relive with the crew on the Battleship Blog http://seastories.battleshipnc.com/. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is an historic site within the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (www.NCCulture.com).
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