Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University is partnering with communities in Russell County to advance electric vehicle planning, workforce development, and clean transportation access in Virginia’s coalfield region.
Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University is launching the Coalfields Community Charging Program, a one-year planning and technical assistance effort designed to help rural communities in Southwest Virginia prepare for electric vehicle charging, maintenance, workforce training, and long-term clean transportation opportunities.
The program will focus on at least five communities in Russell County, including towns and places in Virginia’s Appalachian coal-producing region such as Castlewood, Cleveland, Honaker, Raven, Lebanon, St. Paul, and Dante. These communities are located in disadvantaged census tracts and have experienced the overlapping impacts of coal industry decline, persistent poverty, infrastructure gaps, and environmental burdens.
A Partnership-Based Approach for Rural Virginia
Coalfields Community Charging will create both a physical and virtual hub for local EV planning, connecting community leaders, residents, utilities, workforce partners, technical experts, and clean transportation providers. Virginia Clean Cities will serve as the program leader, administrator, and primary communicator, helping translate federal, state, and regional clean energy resources into practical support for local communities.
The program will work directly with Russell County statkeholders and local community partners to identify charging needs, workforce opportunities, site considerations, training needs, and long-term operations and maintenance strategies. VCC will also coordinate with public and private sector partners, regional utilities, state agencies, and technical assistance providers to ensure communities have access to reliable information and implementation pathways.
This partnership model is especially important in rural and historically underserved areas, where communities often understand their transportation and economic needs but may lack staff capacity, technical tools, or prior experience with EV infrastructure programs. Coalfields Community Charging is designed to meet communities where they are and support locally informed planning that reflects real needs, local assets, and long-term economic opportunity.
Projected Outcomes
Through the Coalfields Community Charging Program, Virginia Clean Cities and its partners expect to deliver:
- Participation from 50 community members in clean transportation planning and engagement activities.
- Formal partnership with five disadvantaged communities in Russell County.
- Five outreach webinars to build community awareness and interest in transportation electrification.
- Five training workshops focused on EV charging, clean transportation, workforce development, and community readiness.
- Five community needs assessments that provide locally relevant guidance on EV charging, economic development, and workforce opportunities.
Together, these outcomes will help participating communities better understand where EV charging can fit into local economic development, tourism, workforce training, and infrastructure planning.
Why EV Charging Matters in Rural Virginia
Reliable public EV charging is essential for ensuring rural communities are not left behind in the clean transportation transition. In rural Virginia, charging infrastructure can support local businesses, strengthen tourism, and expand access to cleaner transportation options for residents and visitors alike.
For Southwest Virginia, EV charging can be more than transportation infrastructure. It can be a tool for economic diversification. As more drivers choose electric vehicles, convenient charging near downtowns, visitor centers, restaurants, small businesses, outdoor recreation assets, and tourism destinations can help bring travelers into rural communities and encourage them to spend time locally.
The program also connects directly to workforce development. Russell County and the surrounding coalfield region have a strong history of skilled electrical and technical labor tied to the energy sector. Planning for EV charger installation, operations, and maintenance can help communities identify career pathways connected to the growing clean energy economy.
Centering Coal-Impacted Communities and Local Capacity
Coalfields Community Charging will prioritize communities that have been historically underserved and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and public health harms. The project is designed to respond to local concerns related to legacy coal mining, water quality, air quality, infrastructure access, healthcare access, and economic transition.
By focusing on planning, listening, technical assistance, and training, the program will help communities build the foundation needed to pursue future charging investments in a way that is community-driven and sustainable. The goal is not simply to plan for equipment, but to support local readiness, local benefits, and local decision-making.
Looking Ahead
Virginia Clean Cities is proud to work with Southwest Virginia partners to advance a cleaner, more connected, and more resilient transportation future. Through Coalfields Community Charging, VCC will help rural coalfield communities explore how EV charging can support economic development, workforce training, tourism, public health, and environmental justice.
As the transportation sector continues to evolve, rural Virginia must have a seat at the table. Coalfields Community Charging is a step toward ensuring that the benefits of clean transportation reach communities that have powered Virginia for generations and are now helping shape its clean energy future.