MOUNT VERNON, WA – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the City of Mount Vernon a $12.5 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant to install 78 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports downtown at the Mount Vernon Library Commons.

The grant funding comes from DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure nationwide.

Larsen, Donovan and Boudreau Applaud Grant Award

Rep. Rick Larsen (W-02), Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan and former Mayor Jill Boudreau celebrated the historic grant funding and emphasized the importance of building cleaner and greener infrastructure in the city and the region.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the vision of local leaders, Mount Vernon is building a cleaner and greener future,” said Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “Mayor Boudreau and her team championed the innovative Library Commons project, and I look forward to working with Mayor Donovan and his team to deliver more jobs, drive long-term economic growth and pull more pollution out of transportation in Mount Vernon and in communities along the I-5 corridor.”

“This grant award—and this entire project—are wonderful examples of the cooperation that should exist among all levels of government when it comes to addressing the infrastructure needs of Americans, today and well into the future,” said Mayor Donovan. “Mount Vernon owes a debt of gratitude to all of the City’s state and federal delegation. Representative Larsen was instrumental in advocating for this visionary project in Mount Vernon. Thank you!”

“The City is honored to receive this funding,” said Mayor Boudreau. “Our Mount Vernon Library Commons project fulfills local, state, and federal transportation goals by building the largest publicly accessible EV charging facility in the United States. We are thankful for Congressmember Larsen, and Mount Vernon’s entire delegation, for their unwavering support and advocacy.”

Larsen a Strong Supporter of MVLC Project

Larsen has been a strong supporter of the Mount Vernon Library Commons project, which will feature a combined library, community center and parking structure that will house the largest public EV charging center in the United States. Last May, Larsen sent a letter to Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt in support of the City’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program grant application. He also requested a $3 million earmark in the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bill to support construction costs for the Mount Vernon Library Commons project; the FY24 spending bill has not yet been passed by both the House and Senate. For more information on the Mount Vernon Library Commons project, click here.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is Working for Northwest Washington

Thanks to Larsen’s leadership, $7.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been invested in Washington state infrastructure as of November 2023, with more than 490 specific projects identified for funding statewide. For more information on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefiting Northwest Washington communities, click here.

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