Stein announces $11 million for WNC trails
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $11 million authorized by the General Assembly in grants to communities and nonprofits in Western North Carolina from Great Trails State Program funding.
The Great Trails State Program legislation was established through the General Assembly in 2023, representing a historic investment of $25 million in North Carolina trails. The program offers matching grants to North Carolina local governments, public authorities, regional council of governments and nonprofit organizations.
Western North Carolina grant recipients and amounts are as follows:
• Clay, Graham, Haywood, and Macon Counties: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, $253,731 for urgent wilderness restoration: trail stewardship and re-covery after the storm.
• Jackson County: Friends of Panthertown ,$86,667 for Panthertown Valley trail & bog bridge project.
• Jackson County: The Village Green of Cashiers, $233,673 for resurfacing, en-hancing, and maintaining trails in The Village Green.
