Trail Funding On Tap At Workshop
Federal Grants For Biking, Walking Paths Discussed
Posted: August 6, 2012
By PRESTON KNIGHT
HARRISONBURG — Area residents interested in learning about federal funding opportunities for biking and walking trails are being encouraged to sign up for a September workshop.
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition received a technical assistance grant to host a free workshop on Sept. 21. Advocacy Advance, which is a partnership of the Alliance for Biking and Walking and the League of American Bicyclists, will conduct the session.
The value of the grant was unavailable.
One goal is to get elected officials from Harrisonburg, the county and towns together with advocacy groups to build relationships for future trail development, said Rich Harris, a member of the bicycle coalition’s board.
But more important, he said, is learning where to turn to pay for such projects.
According to Advocacy Advance, millions of federal dollars go untapped each year.
“That’s the challenge with local governments,” Harris said. “Even when you identify [funding], it’s such a slow process. But if you don’t start, you never get it.”
The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center. Registration is required by Sept. 14.
For more information or to register, visit www.advocacyadvance.org/trainings.
