EMPOWER Spotlight – Fodor Farm

Photo: Fodor Farm

Key Facts

Workplace Location: Norwalk, Connecticut

Workplace Size: 4 non-profit organizations are housed at Fodor Farm with approximately 12 staff combined. EV charging infrastructure is also available to the public.

Type of Workplace: Fodor Farm is owned by the City of Norwalk. Non-profit organizations housed in the historic Fodor Farm building are all focused on sustainability.

Charger Details: One dual-port Level 2 charging station.

• The charging station was donated by the then-local, charging infrastructure company JuiceBar in 2022.

• The charging station is available for use by staff and the general public.

Program Details:

• Fodor Farm is a historic piece of City property in Norwalk, CT that was renovated to headquarter four local sustainability non-profit organizations.

• Live Green CT, an EMPOWER workplace charging EV coach and one of the four tenants of Fodor Farms, played a pivotal role in procuring and installing the City of Norwalk’s first EV charging station in 2022.

• EV charging is available for a fee to staff and public users and the $300/month networking charge is covered by the City.

  
  

Organization Background

Fodor Farm in Norwalk, Connecticut, became a model for workplace EV charging through a community-driven effort that led to the installation of the City’s first Level 2 dual-port charger on public property. The historic site, now home to four environmental nonprofits, was revitalized by the City after nearly being sold to developers. With a strong environmental mission and a growing number of staff working on-site, exploring the installation of EV charging infrastructure felt like a natural next step

Program Evolution and Growth

Live Green CT spearheaded the charging initiative by securing a donated charger from JuiceBar, a then local EV charging company. Live Green CT then worked closely with the City of Norwalk, which embraced the idea and agreed to cover the $300 annual software hosting fee through its Parks Department. The charger now supports the 12 staff members working at the farmhouse and is also available to the public during frequent community events.

Fodor Farm's EV charger fueling a vehicle. Credit: Fodor Farm

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

The project, while ultimately successful, highlighted several important lessons for other workplaces considering EV charger installation. Early and sustained stakeholder engagement was critical—from securing the donation to coordinating with City departments. One of the biggest challenges was utility coordination, which significantly delayed the project despite the charger and installation team being ready. This underscores the importance of involving utility providers early in the planning process.

Determining the charger’s location also required thoughtful consideration to balance accessibility with the preservation of the historic farmhouse’s appearance. Although the neighborhood wasn’t designated as historic, the team was mindful of the site’s character. Clarifying ownership and maintenance responsibilities was another key step, with the City ultimately agreeing to host and support the charger. As the first of its kind in Norwalk, this project served as a pilot that demonstrated feasibility and demand, paving the way for broader EV infrastructure across the City. For other workplaces, starting small, building strong partnerships, and planning for long-term sustainability are essential best practices.