A broad-based group of diverse organizations, agencies, and supporters advocating for increased state investment in all types of trails in North Carolina – hiking, paddle, mountain bike, equestrian, paved.
Brought to you by
the Great Trails State Coalition
Are you ready for year of the trail?
Learn more at the official website:
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2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Building the Great Trails State
Great Trails State Fund
$25M One-Time
$25M competitive grant program to fund investment ready trail projects. Administered by NCDNCR ($500K).
Design and construction of a rich variety of trail types throughout North Carolina – natural surface, paved, equine and paddle trails.
Flexible match demonstrates community investment. Source of matching funds for local governments, non-profits and tribal governments applicants. More communities will have access to increasing Federal funding specific to biking and walking.
Significant, recurring economic, health, and environmental benefits to every community that builds trails.
Support State Trail Non-Profits
$700,000 Recurring
Recurring $50,000 capacity building grants for (12) State Trail non-profits.
State Trail Non-Profits have developed and committed to detailed 5-year plans with the State. The organizations are the driving force behind State Trail development, harness thousands of volunteer hours, and connect State Trails to the communities they serve.
Paved Trail Feasibility Study Program
$2M One-Time
$2M administered by NCDOT.
Program readies well-conceived paved trail projects for design and construction. Projects are more competitive for Federal funds. Inaugural $2M program received over 60 applications for $5M in funding for over 250 miles of trails.
View or Download our Legislative Flyers:
We are proud of our wide range of members all standing behind a platform for trails in North Carolina. The Coalition has 79 total members: 39 non-profit partners, 24 business partners, 16 government partners, and 5 advisors.
See who is on board.
Why Support Trails
Trail use has increased more than 300% in some places in the last year. The pandemic has demonstrated how eager North Carolinians are for safe places to be outside in nature.
Outdoor recreation is a $28 billion dollar industry, and will be an important part of our economic recovery from covid-19. New trails can help build both physical and economic connections and allow us to capitalize on NC’s natural beauty, warm people and rich history.
NCDOT’s Great Trails State Plan, to be published in 2021, is a plan to connect all 100 NC counties by trails. State funding will provide matching dollars for significant federal funds and speed investment ready projects to completion, benefitting citizens and the outdoor recreation economy.
Off-road trail networks help people safely get to their destinations. Each year more than 3,000 pedestrians and 850 bicyclists are hit by vehicles in North Carolina, making NC one of the most dangerous states in the US for walking and bicycling.
Trails have a significant return on investment:
Every $1.00 spent on trail construction generates $1.72 ANNUALLY from local business revenue, sales tax revenue, & benefits related to health and transportation.
An NC DOT study of a one-time $26.7 million investment in four NC shared-use paths created the following economic impacts:
$19.4 million
Estimated ANNUAL sales revenue at local businesses along the four greenways
$25.7 million
Estimated ANNUAL savings due to more physical activity, less pollution and congestions, and fewer traffic injuries from greenway use
$48.7 million
Estimated business revenue from greenway construction
790
Jobs are supported ANNUALLY through greenway construction
Trails are Investment Ready
The Great Trails State Coalition collected information from communities about natural and paved trail projects that are ready for construction and design.
There are 263 projects in 52 counties, representing an estimated $511 million of construction costs. NC DOT’s Great Trails State Plan identifies future projects in all 100 counties. Check them out below.
Next Steps
The Great Trails State Coalition recommends building upon NC’s trail legacy by investing in and expanding our current trail systems:
2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Building the Great Trails State
Great Trails State Fund
$50.5M One-Time
$50M competitive grant program to fund investment ready trail projects. Administered by NCDNCR ($500K).
Design and construction of a rich variety of trail types throughout North Carolina – natural surface, paved, equine and paddle trails.
Flexible match demonstrates community investment. Source of matching funds for local governments, non-profits and tribal governments applicants. More communities will have access to increasing Federal funding specific to biking and walking.
Significant, recurring economic, health, and environmental benefits to every community that builds trails.
Support State Trail Non-Profits
$750,000 Recurring
Recurring $50,000 capacity building grants for (12) State Trail non-profits.
State Trail Non-Profits have developed and committed to detailed 5-year plans with the State. The organizations are the driving force behind State Trail development, harness thousands of volunteer hours, and connect State Trails to the communities they serve.
Paved Trail Feasibility Study Program
$2M One-Time
$2M administered by NCDOT.
Program readies well-conceived paved trail projects for design and construction. Projects are more competitive for Federal funds. Inaugural $2M program received over 60 applications for $5M in funding for over 250 miles of trails.