Joe P. Asher
Staff Writer
The Tri-Cities Trail Town Committee has moved a few steps closer to hiring an individual to handle the day to day duties and operations necessary to bring the Trail Town project to reality.
During a recent meeting, committee member Bobbie Gothard advised the panel work had begun on a grant application for the purpose of hiring this individual.
“Jane Higgins (the program associate at Brushy Fork Institute overseeing some Flex Grant activities) was here last week and met with us on this application,” said Gothard. “She encouraged us to go ahead and apply for this funding so we could hire a consultant planner.”
Gothard noted the committee will have to supply some matching funds or services.
“We have to put up a match of $2,500 which we can do with in-kind services,” said Gothard. “Clearing trails or that kind of service, we don’t have to have money in other words.”
Gothard said donated equipment may be used to meet the match requirement.
“We got together and worked a little bit everyday,” said Gothard. “We had included the whole trail system and she encouraged us just to go ahead with this even though we don’t have the trails open. We needed to get this started in order to get trails open, so that’s where we are.”
“She really thought we should go ahead with it. She’s kind of pushing us forward with all of this. She thinks that we’re on the go, so we’ll see how this works out,” said Gothard.
According to Gothard, the funding being applied for is an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.
“It’s to hire a consultant planner that can consult with the committee on what needs to be done and what steps need to be taken next to keep us on the track of getting this all pulled together,” said Gothard.
Gothard said it will probably be January before the committee will hear back about the grant.
Gothard noted the committee is currently seeking an individual to fill the position.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com
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