Located along Highway 60 between Minneapolis and Sioux Falls, the City of St. James serves as the Watonwan County Seat and is home to nearly 5,000 residents. With a culturally diverse population—over 44% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino—the city is dedicated to promoting inclusive and sustainable growth that benefits all community members.

In 2023, St. James strongly committed to sustainability by incorporating a dedicated sustainability chapter within the city’s Land Use Plan. This chapter outlines ambitious goals, including increasing access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this plan, the city purchased a Ford Lightning EV for use in the water department and installed Watonwan County’s first dual Level 2 EV charging station in the downtown park in 2024, creating the only publicly accessible station between Mankato and Worthington—a 96-mile stretch.

St. James was honored with a bronze designation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Charging Smart program, recognizing its commitment to equitable and impactful EV readiness initiatives. The city also engages in educational outreach, hosting stationary EV showcases and providing comprehensive EV information on its website. Additionally, St. James collaborates with community leaders, local colleges, and workforce training programs to support clean energy jobs and ensure residents have the skills and knowledge needed for a greener future.

With a vehicle fleet of 48, including one EV, the city is actively collecting data on its electric truck and charging station to inform future initiatives. By fostering community input and taking a proactive approach to sustainability, St. James is paving the way for a cleaner, more connected, and resilient community.