Fredericksburg, Va. — For the first time, electric vehicle drivers will now be able to access public charging stations in the Town of Louisa, thanks to an effort led by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's (REC) wholly-owned subsidiary, Vividly Brighter, in partnership with The Louisa Chamber of Commerce, The Louisa Forward Foundation, the Town of Louisa and Dominion Energy.

Community leaders gathered March 21 for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Louisa Arts Center, where two of the dual-port charging stations are located, to celebrate the milestone of the first public chargers in the town. Two dual-port chargers will also be installed at Frosties on Main Street. Each charging location can charge four electric vehicles at one time.

“As we gather here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of our Town’s first public electric vehicle chargers, we are not only embracing innovation but also taking concrete steps that will hopefully attract EV drivers into the Town of Louisa to bolster the local business community and economy,” said Casey Hollins, REC’s Managing Director – Communications and Public Relations. Hollins, a lifelong resident of Louisa, also serves as Board Chair for the Louisa Forward Foundation and the Louisa Chamber of Commerce.

The Louisa Chamber of Commerce and Louisa Forward Foundation actively supported and pursued partners, including REC and Dominion, who could help make EV Charging in the Town of Louisa a reality. For over a year, The Louisa Forward Foundation has embarked on the beginning of a Virginia Main Street initiative. Charge Up Louisa was the first project as part of the Main Street program.

Speaking on REC’s pivotal role in the partnership, Peter Muhoro, Chief Strategy, Technology & Innovation Officer, said, “We take great pride in delivering reliable electricity to over 13,000 residents and businesses in Louisa County. We are focused on the needs and expectations of our members, and it’s our vision to bring sustainable options to the community—including options for transportation.”

In Louisa County, there are hundreds of electric vehicle drivers—and that doesn’t include the additional hundreds of electric vehicle drivers who travel into or through the community each day.

Muhoro noted that by 2036, it is projected that there will be more than 1,180 electric vehicle drivers in Louisa and more than 31,500 in REC’s 22-county service area. Public charger installations, like the two locations in Louisa, are innovative and impactful ways to support a brighter future for local communities as electric vehicle adoption grows, he noted.

Hollins said that it was the town’s leadership that boldly envisioned the future possibilities to enhance Louisa’s already amazing community in an effort to attract people to support local businesses. The installation of these chargers symbolizes a commitment to environmental stewardship and forward thinking, while also making a profound impact on the local economy, infrastructure and way of life, Hollins said.

“It’s exciting since there’s not many of them around, especially in town,” said Garland Nuckols, Town of Louisa Mayor. “We’re looking forward to having a service for people that need it when they come into town, allowing them to charge their vehicles while they visit the restaurants and shops.”

The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Louisa County. The Chamber builds relationships, provides resources and takes actions to strengthen the local economy. The Louisa Forward Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to support the economic, education and community development programs implemented by the Chamber.

REC provides electric service to over 177,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.