May 18, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.
Grand Opening of EV Charging Stations Friday
Friday at 10 a.m. Hope Town Manager Jason Eckart will lead a grand opening ceremony to unveil Hope’s first two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located on the southwest corner of the Hope Town Square at Main and Jefferson Streets.
“It’s really exciting,” Eckart says. “This is a big step for Hope. Hope is one of those towns that is very proud of their heritage, but yet we, as a town, are able to look toward the future and recognize that having electric vehicles is something that will be in our future.”
Eckart adds that Hope is one of the first small rural communities in Indiana to host two charging stations.
And he isn’t the only one excited about the new installment.
“It is a whole other way to keep Hope growing and people coming to Hope,” says Vickie Tedder, co-owner of WILLow LeaVes of Hope. “We just have to keep growing with the times and this is just another step to make those things happen for Hope.”
Tedder notes that with State Road 9 being a convenient way to get off the beaten path, she is hopeful the stop will bring more visitors to the community.
“We have a beautiful town and we just want people to stop, take a moment and walk in our beautiful park,” she adds. “I think it is awesome.”
Eckart notes an added bonus of having the charging stations is the spotlight it will shine on Hope.
The state of Indiana is currently working on an infrastructure plan, he says, with the assistance from the federal government. Once that plan is approved, every new electric vehicle purchased will have Hope, Ind., listed as a viable charging station, which is really cool for such a small town, he says.
“The hope is to gain a little bit of tourism through this,” Eckart says. “People can charge their vehicles while walking around the Town Square, that is what we are looking for is them to stop, charge their vehicle, walk around and, hopefully, have lunch, visit our stores and spend some money.”
