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ARC awards $5.1 million "Blue Ridge Rising" grant; about $2 million expected for Parkway communities
Summary
The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded a $5.1 million Blue Ridge Rising grant to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation; the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation said roughly $2 million will be available to Parkway communities for tourism infrastructure, trail and accessibility work.
The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded a $5.1 million "Blue Ridge Rising" grant to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation told its board that about $2 million of that award is expected to flow into Parkway communities in Virginia.
Executive Director Kim told the board the multi-state grant will support tourism infrastructure, trail development, wayfinding and internet access on and near the Parkway in Grayson, Carroll, Floyd, Patrick, Franklin counties and the city of Galax. "This is going to be for wayfinding signage, internet access on and near the Parkway, trail development, accessibility, Parkway maintenance, bicycle and safety analysis, and workforce development," Kim said during the foundation's June meeting.
Board members asked how the funds will be distributed and whether the foundation will act as fiscal agent. Kim said the foundation is still determining the administrative breakdown and whether localities will apply through the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation or receive funds via a local fiscal agent: "We're still drawing down exactly what Friends is going to be able to draw down. We know how much our admin's going to be. The breakdown is what we're still working on," she said.
The foundation said details on application processes and administrative arrangements will be shared with local partners once finalized. Kim told the board the foundation will post additional information and update members as decisions about fiscal agency and fund flow are resolved.
The board indicated interest in close coordination with local governments and partner organizations to ensure awards are implemented at the locality level. Next procedural steps include clarifying the fiscal-agent question and posting guidance for local applicants, Kim said.
