Though normally a quiet town in the mornings, with anglers trying their luck out on Mineral Lake, Lewis County Transit staff and Economic Alliance of Lewis County members along with some Mineral residents were in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 8, christening a new pair of electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the new Mineral Mobility Hub.
The Mineral Mobility Hub is located behind the Mineral Lake Market at 104 W. Front St. in the East Lewis County community, nestled in Mount Rainier’s foothills some 20 miles southwest of the peak.
Cutting the ribbon was Mineral Lake Market co-owner Michael Kesl, joined by Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer, retiring Lewis County Transit Executive Director Joe Clark and Economic Alliance of Lewis County Executive Director Todd Chaput. Brummer is currently acting as interim director of Lewis County Transit.
“I thank you for all the support. It’s a big project and we do appreciate it,” Michael Kesl said.
Michael, a retired U.S. Army major, runs the market together with his wife, Melody Kesl.
“To make a long story short, we just kind of stumbled into Mineral two years ago, picked up the store on a whim. Ever since then, we’ve felt that Mineral is deserving of some upgrades — not that it’s a bad place to be,” Michael said.
With their market less than 200 yards away from Mineral Lake’s shores, the Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground, and the lake’s picturesque views of Mount Rainier, the Kesls hope to help bring more tourists to the little mountain town.
And they’re not the only ones either, as also in attendance was Mineral Lake Lions Club Board President Steve Mayer, who shared the same sentiment.
With the EV chargers, the hope is to draw more tourists already driving EVs using the existing charging points along U.S. Highway 12, also known as the White Pass Scenic Byway. While not directly on Highway 12, Mineral is just 13 miles north of the highway after turning north onto state Route 7 in Morton.
Chaput explained he worked to get Lewis County Transit involved since the organization had already collaborated with the Lewis County Public Utilities District (PUD) and Energy Northwest to install the EV chargers.
“They were the actual operational people that built this, constructed it, contracted. We were just a conduit. By finding partners, we were able to achieve this,” Chaput said. “That’s what our goal was and always is. Both the Alliance and Discover Lewis County, was looking for opportunities to partner and improve the lives of the people in Lewis County.”
The Mineral Mobility Hub was funded through both the Economic Alliance and Lewis County Transit along with a $50,000 tourism regeneration grant from State of Washington Tourism and $241,000 in grant funding from the Washington state Department of Transportation.
Brummer felt the new EV charging station was much needed, as recently the Western Forest Industries Museum — which operates the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) out of Elbe just to the north — announced the purchase of property in Mineral with the intent to make it the MRSR’s new repair shop, and eventually reopen the museum there dedicated to the logging railroad history of the region.
“It’s a privilege to come out today with Mike and Melody at the Mineral Lake Market to be able to ribbon cut for this very unique and much-needed location for an EV charging station,” Brummer said. “This, I think, is going to do great things for the community.”
Brummer thanked both the Kesls and Mayer for support from the Mineral Lake Lions Club and the Mineral community.
With this new EV charging station, Mineral now joins the list of fellow East Lewis County communities with charging stations, including Morton, Mossyrock, Randle, Salkum and Packwood. Additionally, EV charging stations can also be found at the White Pass Ski Area and in Elbe just over the border in Pierce County.
For more information on charging stations in the region, visit the PUD’s website at https://tinyurl.com/mvjpbys4.
