Schwarber Foundation’s annual golf tournament

All told, nearly 60 organizations received funding, ACF reports.

Other awards included a $12,000 grant to the Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood. CATAC collaborates with and provides performance space for a group of theater companies, including Chameleon Village Theatre Collective, Gum-Dip Theatre and QuTheatr.

“Funding will help to equip these resident theater companies with the means to garner new performance techniques and professional development, nurture diverse storytelling, and serve as an administrative support team for successful community building and new performance creation,” ACF said in announcing the awards.

As gas prices continue to increase, Akron’s doing more to help promote electric vehicles and to make their use more convenient.

Mayor Dan Horrigan announced Wednesday, June 8, that the city is starting an initiative to bring more vehicle-charging stations to town, beginning with a task force to explore opportunities to build more stations.

“From tires, to blimps, to airships, and now electric vehicles, Akron has a history of looking towards the future of transportation,” said Horrigan in announcing the effort. “Preparing for a rise in EVs is the next logical step for our city. Our investments and planning today will help reduce emissions from transportation which will in turn help create a healthier and more just city in the future. Working with key partners, we hope to create a network of EV charging stations that will be equitably placed and well-utilized throughout Akron.”

The city says the number of EVs on the road is already going up and that rising gasoline costs are making them more cost-competitive and attractive still.

Akron currently has 22 public EV charging locations with a total of 29 ports. There is also one public DC fast charging station in Akron.

The task force’s initial goals will include prioritizing buildout targets using city property and available funding, while ensuring that public EV charging and EV car sharing is available, accessible and equitable, the city said in announcing the initiative.

The task force includes representatives from the city, Summit County, the University of Akron, the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, Gateway Group, Welty Building Co., First Energy, Akron Energy Service, Akron METRO and several residents who own electric vehicles, the city reports.

If you have interest and want to get involved, send an email to Emily Collins, strategic advisor to the mayor, at ecollins@akronohio.gov and list your experience with one or more of the areas described above.