“The most growth we’ve seen since the 1970’s,” Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling
DECATUR — The city of Decatur has received one of 18 grants awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey to install charging stations. The Municipal Utilities Board of Decatur has received $53,800 to install a two-bay station at a downtown location at 110 Moulton Street in Decatur.
Mayor Tab Bowling says the additional charging stations are needed as Decatur is in the midst of incredible growth.
“We know electric vehicles are coming,” Bowling stated. “We have EV stations at most of our larger hotels in the city and now to have them downtown where we have a new hotel going as well as the Cook Museum of Natural Science, it’s beneficial to have them in a central area for our guests.”
Millions of dollars are being invested into the downtown area. The mayor says right now in one downtown block there is $50 million in construction taking place; in downtown as a whole, there is $70 million in construction underway.
“This is the most growth we’ve seen since the 1970’s,” said Bowling. He also said the growth is an opportunity to “make new friends.”
“The residential growth that goes along with this is bringing new residents, new leaders, new coaches in little league, new Sunday School teachers – there are just so many things that come from that.”
Bowling said he is excited to work with leaders on the needed infrastructure to support that growth.
Decatur was one of five North Alabama locations to receive funding for new EV charging stations. Scottsboro, Hartselle, Guntersville and Guin also received grants as part of the nearly $2.45 million awarded by Ivey.
The 18 grants awarded by the governor will be used for new charging stations along highways in several areas of the state.
“As many of Alabama’s automobile manufacturers gear production toward electric vehicles, Alabama must be ready to provide the charging infrastructure needed for those who choose to drive these vehicles,” Ivey said. “It is important for Alabama to have electric vehicle charging stations in many locations so that we can meet the needs of Alabama motorists who choose to drive an electric vehicle as well as out-of-state drivers who are visiting or passing through our state.”
Funds for all but one of the projects came from appropriations by the Alabama Legislature and target busy highways away from the interstates, except Interstate 22 in northwest Alabama where grant funds will provide a six-bay charger in Guin as the first EV charging station on that interstate in Alabama. Private companies, utilities and government entities were eligible to receive the grants.
Funds made available to the state from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will be awarded in the future to further develop EV charging infrastructure along Alabama’s interstates.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.
“These grants are part of a plan to ensure that electric vehicle charging stations are located throughout the state – not just on interstates with upcoming federal funds, but also on or near secondary roads in heavily traveled areas of the state,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with Governor Ivey and the many partners in this program.”
The full listing of awarded grants:
North Alabama
Scottsboro
Scottsboro Electric Power Board received $57,968 for a two-bay charging station at its office at 404 E. Willow Street.
Hartselle
Hartselle Utilities received $54,963 to install a two-bay station at a public parking area at 200 Sparkman Street.
Guntersville
The Electric Board of Guntersville received $53,906 for a two-bay charging station at a public parking area at 440 Old Town St.
Decatur
The Municipal Utilities Board of Decatur received $53,800 to install a two-bay station at a downtown location at 110 Moulton Street in Decatur.
Guin
Francis Energy LLC received $407,990 to install a six-bay charging station at the Holiday Inn at 5750 Alabama Highway 44.
Central Alabama
Helena
The city of Helena received $33,740 to install a two-bay charging station at Helena Sports Complex at 100 Sports Complex Drive.
Sylacauga
Allen Oil Co. of Sylacauga Inc. received $198,190 to install a two-bay charging station at Allen’s Food Mart at 42020 U.S. Highway 280.
Alexander City
Allen Oil Co. of Sylacauga Inc. received $200,008 to install a two-bay charging station at Allen’s Food Mart at 4880 U.S. Highway 280.
Phenix City
The city of Phenix City received $15,448 to install a four-bay charging station at the Phenix City Parks and Recreation Department at 1501 Fifth Street South.
The city of Phenix City received $14,121 to install a four-bay charging station at the Fourteenth Street Parking Garage, 310 14th Street.
Montgomery
The Montgomery Airport Authority received $250,000 to install a three-bay charging station (for vehicles) at the Montgomery Regional Airport at 4445 U.S. Highway 80.
LaFayette
The city of LaFayette received $119,000 to install a two-bay charging station at a location at U.S. Highway 431.
South Alabama
Orange Beach
Junior Food Stores of West Florida Inc. received $216,335 to install a two-bay charging station at Cumberland Farms convenience store at 23679 Canal Road. Fund source: Volkswagen Settlement Program.
Fairhope
The city of Fairhope received $148,626 to install a two-bay charging station at Plantation Pointe Shopping Center at 84 Plantation Pointe.
Enterprise
Heer Properties was awarded $201,259 to install a two-bay electric charging station at Legacy Foodmart at 6001 Boll Weevil Circle.
Headland
Home Oil Co. Inc. received $200,587 to install a two-bay charging station at Hobo Pantry at 16566 U.S. Highway 431.
Robertsdale
The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance received $198,267 to install a two-bay charging station at the Baldwin County Commission Annex II at 22070 Alabama Highway 59.
Geneva
The city of Geneva received $33,840 to install a four-bay charging station on a lot at 614 S. Commerce Street.
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