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Spencer authorizes staff to seek up to $500,000 in state trail grants for Sandbach Forest
Summary
The board unanimously authorized staff to apply for state Great Trail grants (up to $500,000) and a $50,000 Carolina Thread Trail grant to develop the Sandbach Forest Main Trail; staff said philanthropic commitments could help meet the $250,000 local match for a $500,000 award.
The Board of Aldermen unanimously authorized town staff to pursue multiple grants to build out the Sandbach Forest Main Trail, including applying for the Great Trails State Grant Program and a $50,000 Carolina Thread Trail grant.
Joe, joining the meeting by video, told the board the legislature has designated roughly $30 million for trail projects and that the Great Trails State Grant awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. For Rowan County—designated as a tier-2 county—the grant requires a $1 local match for every $2 in grant funds; staff said maximizing a $500,000 award would require roughly $250,000 in local match (from philanthropy, donations or other grants).
The proposal targets trail upgrades inside the newly acquired Sandbach Forest (about 46 acres north of Spencer Avenue), including surfacing, drainage fixes, a wider, more usable trail and a connection to the Grama Creek Blueway Trailhead. Staff reported conversations with philanthropic partners and the Carolina Thread Trail staff and said they expect to submit a $50,000 Thread Trail application as part of the local-match strategy.
A motion from Ms. Sledge to authorize the manager, Joe and staff to proceed with grant applications carried unanimously. Staff will return with drafts of grant applications, any required match commitments and a timeline for applications (the state grant deadline cited in the meeting was September 3).
