Evansville Awarded $20 Million Community Change Grant from EPA

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~ Evansville, a city in Indiana, has been selected as one of 105 cities to receive a $20 million Community Change Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant, awarded by the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, aims to help Evansville transition to cleaner and lower-emission transportation systems.

The project, which was announced today by EPA officials, will focus on promoting public transit, shared rides, and physically active modes of travel. This will be achieved through the development of new "mobility hubs" across the city that will provide convenience, accessibility, and ease of transition between public and private transportation modes.

The project was developed under the leadership of various city agencies including the Evansville Climate Collaborative and Department of Transportation & Services. It was also done in partnership with organizations such as the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, Welborn Baptist Foundation, Evansville Trails Coalition, and TriState Creation Care.

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Out of over 2,700 applicants, Evansville was chosen as one of the recipients for this grant. Mayor Stephanie Terry expressed her excitement about this opportunity stating that it marks a pivotal step forward for the city in building a cleaner and more sustainable future. She also commended the efforts of Lauren Norvell, Director of the Evansville Climate Collaborative, and all those involved in making this project a reality.

The grant will fund various projects including developing 15 mobility hubs along existing METS public transit routes and expanding their Micro Transit program with 16 electric/hybrid vans that are ADA-accessible. Additionally, 4.1 miles of city sidewalks will be improved for ADA accessibility as well as walking and biking purposes.

To further reduce emissions from transportation in the city, 62 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations will be installed at various locations including city facilities, public destinations, and affordable housing units. The popular Upgrade bikeshare system will also be expanded to include 100 E-bikes and 1,000 free annual memberships for city residents.

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In addition to these improvements, solar panels will be installed on the METS administration building and bus terminal to further lower emissions from public transit. A community-wide education and outreach campaign will also be conducted to increase awareness and utilization of cleaner transportation options.

To promote the use of electric vehicles and other low-emission vehicles, a free annual community event will also be held. Work on the project is set to begin on March 17, 2025, as per the grant agreement.

Lauren Norvell, Director of the Evansville Climate Collaborative, expressed her enthusiasm for this project stating that it will provide residents with better access to clean and active transportation options. She also highlighted that this is just one of many collaborative projects aimed at improving climate resilience and quality of life in Evansville.

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