Courtesy of an $11,500 grant through the Western Area Chapter of the TVA Retirees Association and its non-profit organization, Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., the City of Cadiz will soon have its first-ever electric vehicle charging station.
Set to be located near the up-and-coming farmer’s market pavilion and community bathrooms, the organization stopped by Cadiz City Hall Wednesday morning and presented the funds to Mayor Todd King, Interim Police Chief Tyler Thomas, City Clerk Connie Allen and Public Works Director Craig Oakley.
WAC Secretary Connie Thomas resides in Trigg County. She’s been following the development of the “Put A Roof On It” project by the Cadiz-Trigg County Leadership Class. She noted that after conversations with King and Oakley, this placement makes the most sense.
WAC Treasurer Rick Hokans quipped that locals might soon start seeing a long line of Teslas looking for electricity and antiques in downtown Cadiz, but further urged that the change from petroleum personal transport to electric engines is moving faster than ever.
That evidence is more than clear in west Kentucky, with Ascend Elements building its Apex Facility in Christian County, and charging stations planned across the Commonwealth’s most important roadways.
Describing this scope, WAC President Renee Turnbow illustrated minor details about TVA’s future plans in conjunction with Pilot gas stations.
Even though it’s not technically affiliated with the “Put A Roof On It” project, Thomas said the timing couldn’t have been better for their grant.
King said that, hopefully, the charging station will be in and ready for public use by October. Construction on the pavilion is expected to begin at the end of August, with a 60-to-90 day window allowed — but likely not necessary if weather cooperates.
The TVA’s WAC meets quarterly at the Lake Barkley State Resort Park, and it’s at these meeting where they fully discuss where grant funds need to go in their five-county service area of Trigg, Calloway and Marshall in Kentucky, as well as Stewart and Henry in Tennessee.
