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Nov 19, 2023

$1M in EV charging station funding sought for 11 sites in Portage

The city of Portage is applying for $1.03 million in grant funding that would

The city of Portage is applying for $1.03 million in grant funding that would help bring 23 electric vehicle charging stations to the city. (MLive file photo)Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com

PORTAGE, MI — The city of Portage is applying for $1.03 million in federal funding that, if awarded, would help bring 23 new electric vehicle chargers to the city.

The chargers, which would be accessible 24/7, would be spread out over 11 strategically-placed locations around the city.

The city currently has eight charging stations, serving a population of 48,890, according to its federal grant application.

However, with projections outlined in "The Michigan Healthy Climate Plan" that estimate 28% of drivers will use electric vehicles by 2030, coupled with the city's population growth, city officials identified a need for more EV stations.

"Our goal is for the city of Portage to become an electrical vehicle charging hub, not at one location, but within our city limits," the application reads. "By strategically dispersing the charging ports across our jurisdiction, rather than constructing a singular charging corridor, we aim to address the existing gap in charging infrastructure and meet the diverse needs of our community.

"The selected locations primarily include public park parking lots and municipal building parking lots, ensuring accessibility, and promoting the utilization of existing public assets."

Four of the charging stations would be direct current fast chargers with two placed at both the Portage Zhang Senior Center and at City Hall. The remaining 19 would be AC level two chargers, with each being placed near public parks, thus allowing users the opportunity to take advantage of city playgrounds, trails, bikeways, fishing areas and courts, while charging their vehicles.

According to city plans, there would be three charging stations placed at Celery Flats Pavilion, two at the city's parks and recreation building at 320 Library Lane, and two each at Central Park, Eliason Nature Preserve, Lexington Green Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Schrier Park, South Westnedge Park, as well as at the trailhead at East Kilgore Road and Lovers Lane.

All of the charging stations would be located within 2.5 miles of the nearest interstate exit or highway intersection, ensuring convenient access to job centers and natural amenities for residents, visitors and commuters.

The funds being sought are part of the department of transportation's charging and fueling infrastructure discretionary grant program. If awarded, the city would provide a $206,018 local match.

The Portage City Council on May 23 unanimously approved the grant application. While no comment was given at the time of the vote, Councilmember Chris Burns later applauded the work city staff did on the application.

"One of my requests of our city manager (Pat McGinnis) was to be aggressive in pursuing outside funding for this type of infrastructure and I just want to say kudos every time I see one of these things on our agenda," Burns said. "It's really exciting and I think we put together a very compelling draft application here."

If approved, the project is expected to take at most 2 1/2 years with a request for bid proposals from vendors starting within one month and construction bids for pavement and electrician work accepted within four months of grant approval.

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