Spencer accepts $100,000 state grant to build Grama Creek Blueway Trailhead

Spencer, N.C.

The Board of Aldermen on Nov. 12 unanimously adopted a budget ordinance to accept a $100,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to fund the Grama Creek Blueway Trailhead. The funding requires no local cash match for small communities and will be administered on a reimbursement basis, staff said.

Mister Morris presented concept drawings and a vicinity map that showed a trailhead near 7th Street with a gravel parking area and a streamside kayak/canoe launch. He said the grant award letter arrived Nov. 8 and the project carries a three-year window for completion.

"We were very fortunate to receive an engineer drawing of this parking area," Morris said while describing the planned launch and an informational kiosk at the trailhead. Morris indicated the trailhead will connect to the Yadkin River State Trail and to other nearby trail proposals, providing a roughly 2.5-mile blueway connection in the concept plan.

Board members asked whether the $100,000 will be sufficient; Morris said informal contractor discussions suggested the award will cover the proposed design elements and the town will competitively bid the work. Concerns about floodplain and soil conditions were raised; Morris said soils in the area are not suitable for structures but are acceptable for elevated gravel pads and recreational improvements.

The ordinance authorizes the manager to execute the grant agreement once reviewed by the town attorney and was adopted unanimously. Staff said reimbursements may be submitted periodically during the project rather than only at completion.

What happens next: staff will review the grant agreement with the town attorney, prepare bid documents, and submit reimbursement requests as construction proceeds.