ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) are helping Illinois communities become electric vehicle (EV) ready through the Powering Safe Communities grant program.
Now in its ninth year, ComEd and MMC have offered competitive community grants to fund a variety of municipal and public safety initiatives, with a focus on projects that support transportation electrification. Many Illinois communities leverage these funds to help grow EV adoption in their communities, reduce carbon emissions and advance community resiliency.
“The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is proud to continue our partnership with ComEd through the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program,” said Neil James, Executive Director at Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “Through this program, we are providing our communities with the infrastructure and support needed to create a cleaner and safer future.”
Since 2014, the program has awarded a total of 157 grants totaling $1.7 million to Illinois communities and the impact of this funding has been crucial for enabling more rapid transportation electrification in northern Illinois. Many of the projects funded in recent years have supported the installation of electric vehicle charging stations to make it easier for customers to trade their gas-powered vehicles for EVs.
Last year, 21 communities received funding through this program. Here’s a look at three of the communities that are taking steps to enhance and electrify their communities:
- Village of McCook: This grant focused on transportation safety and funded the installation of solar-powered radar signs throughout the community to help reduce high-speed traffic that poses a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.
- Village of Niles: This grant supported the construction of a relief storm sewer and a flood control basin. These improvements help with sustainability, but also enabled the community to reconstruct nearby parking to add electric vehicle parking spots with a charging station.
- Village of Richmond: This grant helped fund the community’s first electric vehicle charging station in the community’s downtown area and promote green transportation. Richmond recognizes the impact electric vehicles can have on reducing carbon emissions and believes that providing green infrastructure and charging technology for residents will help encourage greater adoption.
The Powering Safe Communities grant program is one of three community focused grants available to northern Illinois communities. This year, $500,000 in grant funding is available and qualifying applicants are eligible for individual grants up to $10,000 each, through the Power Safe Communities Grant, Green Region Grant and Powering the Arts Grant. Applications for the 2023 program are open until 11:59 p.m. CST on March 24, 2023.
For more information on each of this year’s grant program, including eligibility guidelines and how to apply, visit ComEd.com/Grants.
