Lawrence Joins Charging Smart Program
August 31, 2026
For Immediate Release
August 31, 2026
LAWRENCE RECOGNIZED BY GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE
Chosen as Member Cohort for Charging Smart
Lawrence, IN - Mayor Deb Whitfield announced today the City of Lawrence has been chosen by the Great Plains Institute to participate in their Charging Smart Cohort. “We are excited an honored to be named to the Cohort by such a prestigious organization,” Mayor Whitfield said. “Over the next several months, we will be able to get free advice on EV Chargers and fleet electrification,” Whitfield explained.
Other Cohort members include, Lucas County, OH (Toledo), Richmond, IN, Cincinnati, OH, Lacrosse, WI, Grand Rapids, MI, Morris, MN, Bemidji, MN, Evansville, IN, Traverse City, MI, and Berkely, MI.
The Cohort begins now and will run through May of 2027. Mayor Whitfield has named Jim Perron of her staff to be the City’s representative to the Cohort.
Charging Smart is a national EV readiness designation program that offers free technical assistance to help local governments adopt recognized best practices around policies, procedures, and incentives that enable efficient EV deployment and uptake. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a Charging Smart designation provides national recognition of local government’s status as an EV friendly community.
Media Contact
Denise Herd, Herd Strategies
317-796-0514
denise@herdstrategies.com
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About the City of Lawrence, Indiana
Located northeast of Indianapolis, the City of Lawrence is Indiana’s 20th largest city and home to approximately 50,000 residents. While its military base was decommissioned in 1996, Lawrence has grown into a vibrant community that blends rich history with modern amenities. Under the leadership of Mayor Deb Whitfield, the city continues to thrive as a welcoming place to live, work, and play. Learn more at cityoflawrence.org.
About the Great Plains Institute
A non-partisan, non-profit organization focused on transforming the energy system to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, benefit the economy, and improve the environment. It was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
