The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is excited to invite Midwestern communities to join its upcoming Charging Smart Bronze Cohort!
The cohort will be focused on supporting local governments to earn Bronze designation in the Charging Smart program. Charging Smart is a free-of-charge national technical assistance and recognition program that supports communities working on transportation electrification initiatives. Over 100 communities across the country have already benefited from the program, and as the technical assistance provider in the Midwest, GPI is committed to bringing the same value to our neighbors. Charging Smart has three designation levels for local governments to earn: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Quick facts about the Charging Smart Bronze Cohort
What is the Charging Smart Bronze Cohort?
This cohort will guide communities through preliminary steps toward becoming electric vehicle-friendly, which have been identified as best practices by the Charging Smart program. It will combine group-based education opportunities and individual assistance from GPI staff to help communities take the following actions:
- Updating zoning for electric vehicle charging stations
- Clarifying charging station permitting processes
- Engaging with the electric utility
- Providing electric vehicle education and outreach opportunities to community members, local businesses, and commercial property owners
- Incorporating electric vehicles into community plans
What is the benefit of participating?
Beyond being recognized as an electric vehicle-friendly community, cohort participants will receive free one-on-one technical assistance from GPI’s expert staff and have access to resources, guides, and templates. GPI will also host monthly cohort meetings where participants can connect and learn from peer communities!
Timing
This cohort will kick off in late August 2026 and run through May 2027.
Who can join?
We welcome municipalities in the Midwest that are interested in earning Bronze Charging Smart designation and furthering their transportation electrification initiatives.
Interested in participating?
To join the Charging Smart Bronze cohort, or if you want to know more, fill out this interest form today!
Charging Smart is part of the Energy Ready suite of programs, which supports local governments to strategically manage the expansion of energy technologies. Energy Ready also includes SolSmart, a free technical assistance program focused on solar energy. If your community would like support working toward solar-focused goals, you can indicate your interest in the same form to learn about future efforts (filling in the last question).
