FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2020
CONTACT: Josh Raulerson, Director of Communications
EMAIL: [email protected]
ARC to Invest $1.5 Million in Pennsylvania Trails
Funding Will Spur Construction Along Erie-to-Pittsburgh, PA Wilds Corridors
PITTSBURGH – Trail projects in northwestern Pennsylvania will move forward with new funding announced today by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), Crawford County sought and received a $1.5 million POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) grant to support trail construction on the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail and the Knox & Kane Rail Trail.
Trail advocates view the funding as a chance not only to advance previously planned projects, but also to catalyze new trail development throughout the region.
“We are grateful to the Crawford County Board of Commissioners for their vision in pursuing this extraordinary opportunity,” said Brett Hollern, Program Manager for PEC, which will manage the projects on the County’s behalf. “Likewise, we couldn’t have secured these resources without the help of local trail groups and our other partner organizations, and the vital support we received from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).”
The POWER Initiative helps communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.
Tourism and outdoor recreation have provided an economic lifeline to many such communities in Pennsylvania in recent years. At a time when other sectors are struggling, the state’s $29 billion outdoor industry appears poised for growth amid renewed interest in multi-use trails. Recent research by PEC indicates trail use is up dramatically statewide, with 2020 traffic surging nearly 200 percent in some areas. This growth has occurred despite a global pandemic and ongoing recession, suggesting untapped potential in currently underserved areas.
Crawford County’s successful grant application was based on a 2019 PEC report identifying critical gaps and infrastructure needs in the Erie to Pittsburgh and PA Wilds Loop trail corridors, including sections of:
• the East Branch Trail between Titusville and Corry
• the Knox & Kane Rail Trail connecting Kane, PA with Kinzua Bridge State Park
• the 105-year-old Brady railroad tunnel along the Armstrong Trail
• the Oil Creek State Park Trail
To date, ARC has invested over $238 million in 293 projects, touching 353 counties across Appalachia since 2015. More information about ARC’s POWER Initiative is available at www.arc.gov/power.
“I congratulate Crawford County and PEC for their POWER award, and commend them on the leadership they have shown in their community,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “POWER grants are playing a critical role in supporting coal-impacted communities in the Appalachian Region as they recover from COVID-19 by building and expanding critical infrastructure and creating new economic opportunities through innovative and transformative approaches. Projects like this are getting Appalachia back to work.”
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About the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC)
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a statewide organization that brings people, government, and business together to find real-world solutions for environmental challenges. These solutions bring about sustainable communities, protect our water resources, and address energy and climate issues. PEC was founded in 1970 and serves the entire state through offices in Luzerne, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.