Huntsville, Ontario: Lakeland Holding’s innovation subsidiary Lakeland Solutions is installing 40 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in sites throughout its shareholder municipalities of Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Burk’s Falls, Sundridge and Magnetawan. This $3M investment over the next two years includes $1.15M funding provided to Lakeland through the Government of Canada’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

“The goal of this EV installation program is to install and maintain the most reliable and fastest network of electrical vehicle charging stations under our LAKELAND TAKE CHARGE marketing banner,” stated Vince Kulchycki, Chief Operating Officer of Lakeland Holding Ltd.

Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock expressed her enthusiasm for the new program: “Town of Huntsville is actively working towards promoting development patterns that assist in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a proud partner in the LAKELAND TAKE CHARGE program, we will provide our residents and visitors with concrete actions to reduce climate change. This is a great step in a concerted effort to protect our environment through infrastructure and urban planning.”

The LAKELAND TAKE CHARGE program will allow Lakeland to be at the forefront of the electrical vehicle revolution with a long-term vision to be the primary EV charging provider for the Parry Sound/Muskoka area. Three different levels of chargers will be installed in municipal high traffic areas where drivers can charge quickly and be on their way or enjoy local entertainment, attend sporting events, have dinner or go shopping during longer charging events. Muskoka/Parry Sound is an ideal location for charging stations that can help address range anxiety for those spending time in the area or just passing through.

“The Town of Bracebridge is committed to environmental stewardship and fostering a healthy, vibrant community. We are pleased to work with Lakeland Solutions to see the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at three locations around Bracebridge providing the necessary tools to help support our efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our environmental footprint on a local level. Introducing these stations in community-centric spaces makes them more accessible to those that need them and provides current and future residents, visitors and businesses the amenities they need, while also driving awareness and change,” said Rick Maloney, Mayor of the Town of Bracebridge.

“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “Investing in more EV chargers, like the over 3,500 new ones we announced this week across Ontario, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”

“There is a clear trend of major vehicle manufacturers shifting to electric vehicles. By installing and maintaining a network of LAKELAND TAKE CHARGE stations, Lakeland will be at the forefront of providing state-of-the-art EV charging to our municipal shareholder communities as the first step to expanding LAKELAND TAKE CHARGE throughout Parry Sound/Muskoka in the future,” added Chris Litschko, Chief Executive Officer of Lakeland Holding Ltd.

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For further information, contact:
Vince Kulchycki, Chief Operations Officer
Lakeland Holding Ltd.
888-282-7711 ext. 513
vkulchycki@lakelandholding.com

Lakeland Holding Ltd. is wholly owned by the municipalities of Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Burk’s Falls, Sundridge and Magnetawan. Subsidiaries include Lakeland Power with 14,300 electrical distribution customers, Lakeland (Bracebridge) Generation with 12 generation facilities totaling 17.6 megawatts, and Lakeland Networks having 600 kilometers of fibre optics serving more than 8,000 customers with internet, TV, and phone.