New EV Charging Stations Expand Travel Opportunities in Downtown Manistique

Cloverland Electric Cooperative project strengthens regional connectivity, supports tourism, and advances Schoolcraft County’s resiliency efforts

MANISTIQUE, Mich. — Electric vehicle (EV) drivers traveling through Michigan’s Upper

Peninsula will soon have more opportunities to charge along their route, thanks to new

charging stations being installed in Manistique and St. Ignace by Cloverland Electric

Cooperative.

Supported by grant funding through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great

Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Lake Michigan Circuit Program, the project expands EV

charging infrastructure in the region and provides additional options for residents,

visitors, and businesses.

In downtown Manistique, the new charging stations are located behind the Lake Effect

Art Center, offering a convenient charging option for travelers exploring downtown

shops, restaurants, and other local attractions. The project includes a dual-port DC fast

charger and a dual-port Level 2 charger in both Manistique and St. Ignace, providing

four charging ports at each location.

Cloverland Electric pursued the project after receiving feedback from cooperative

members and community partners who identified a need for additional EV charging

availability. The Lake Michigan Circuit Program provided an opportunity to develop

charging facilities appropriately sized for the needs of Upper Peninsula communities.

“Cloverland received feedback from members and community partners who were

requesting more charging availability to enhance our tourism industry while also

providing more availability of EV charging to our members,” said Jake Brown of

Cloverland Electric Cooperative. “The Lake Michigan Circuit program allowed for

funding of charging stations that better suited our area rather than building large-scale

charging stations that would have been overbuilt for the needs of our communities.”

The project also represents an important step in advancing an initiative identified

through the Schoolcraft County Resiliency Plan. In late winter 2023, Victoria George,

Executive Director of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce (STC), contacted Cloverland

Electric to explore opportunities to expand EV charging infrastructure as part of the

county’s resiliency efforts.

Those initial conversations helped demonstrate community interest, identify potential

locations, and address logistical considerations. Cloverland Electric subsequently

worked with community leaders to evaluate locations and prepare grant applications.

The City of Manistique, City of St. Ignace, Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce, and St.

Ignace Downtown Development Authority provided valuable input in identifying locations

that would best serve their communities.

“This conversation was important to show Cloverland that there was a desire from our

communities and their respective tourism and commerce boards to bring EV charging to

their communities,” Brown explained. “Through these conversations, Cloverland was

able to determine the need, identify specific locations that would provide the highest

benefits for the community, and work through potential logistical concerns that only

community leaders would be able to foresee.”

Cloverland Electric will own and operate the charging stations, with maintenance

provided by its EV charging installation partner, Red-E Charge.

Improving Travel Across the Upper Peninsula

The new charging stations are intended to help close gaps in EV charging availability

along U.S. Highway 2 and through the southern portion of Cloverland Electric’s service

territory. The additional locations will make it easier for EV drivers to travel across the

Upper Peninsula while giving cooperative members more options for charging within the

region.

For Manistique, the downtown location offers an added opportunity to welcome travelers

who may spend time shopping, dining, and exploring the community while their vehicles

charge.

“Having accessible EV charging is becoming an important part of welcoming visitors

and supporting the continued growth of our tourism industry,” said Victoria George,

Executive Director of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce. “This project demonstrates the value of collaboration and long-term planning. By working together to identify

community needs and pursue opportunities, we can make Schoolcraft County more

accessible to travelers while creating additional opportunities for local businesses.”

Expanded charging access can help strengthen the region’s tourism economy by

making travel more convenient for EV drivers. It also helps communities prepare for

evolving transportation needs and supports efforts to make the Upper Peninsula an

accessible destination for a wider range of visitors.

Looking Ahead

The project will allow Cloverland Electric to better understand EV travel patterns in the

Eastern Upper Peninsula by monitoring use of the charging stations. That information

may help guide future decisions about charging infrastructure.

Cloverland Electric does not currently anticipate installing additional charging stations,

noting that its goal was to establish charging options along corridors where continuous

EV travel across the Upper Peninsula was previously more difficult. Private businesses,

working with state partners, are expected to play an important role in addressing

remaining needs as EV adoption evolves. Cloverland may consider future expansion if

utilization of its new stations demonstrates sufficient demand.

The new charging stations reflect the importance of collaboration among utilities, local

governments, and community organizations in addressing infrastructure needs,

supporting tourism, and preparing communities for the future.

The Manistique stations’ official public opening date and final charging instructions will

be announced as commissioning is completed. Drivers will be able to pay directly at the

charging station through its point-of-sale system.

For more information about electric vehicles and Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s EV

resources, visit Cloverland Electric’s Electric Vehicle webpage.