Ridgway, PA – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central) is actively seeking local businesses interested in hosting public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This initiative, in partnership with PennDOT and the Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance the EV charging infrastructure throughout the region.

“By identifying potential charging station sites across our six counties, we support the growing number of EVs and foster EV adoption in our rural areas,” remarked Amy Kessler, Director of Community Development & Regional Planning. “Our goal is to work with local partners who are interested in hosting public EV charging stations.”

North Central is committed to guiding businesses through this process. Assistance includes evaluating charging options, providing access to tools and resources for cost and implementation analysis, and offering support in navigating funding and grant opportunities to help offset costs.

Hosting a public EV charger offers numerous benefits to businesses. It can attract additional customers, particularly EV owners who prefer patronizing locations where they can charge their vehicles. While customers charge their EVs, they are likely to spend more time and potentially more money at the hosting business. Additionally, having an EV charger can set a business apart from competitors, positioning it as a leader in embracing sustainable practices.

If you are a business owner interested in hosting a public charger or if you’d like more information on EV charging, please visit North Central’s website and fill out the questionnaire. 

North Central is also dedicated to advancing workplace charging solutions for business employees. We encourage interested businesses to explore the possibilities of on-site EV charging for their staff. To get started, visit the Charge@Work website. Here, you can take a proactive step by taking the “Charge@Work Pledge” and access a suite of tools designed to streamline your project’s progress.