New funding for local trails available

According to representatives of the Genesee Region Trails Coalition, November 2003 begins the grant-making cycle of the trail program. Applications are available on-line at www.grtcinc.org.

Organized Trail Groups with 501 (c) (3) status, or trail groups that are partnered with 501 (c) (3) organizations or with municipalities are eligible. The applicant organization must be based within the ten county (Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates) area served by the Genesee Region Trails Coalition. Grants should be used primarily to fund the building of multi-use trails.

During the first round, preference for funding will be given to smaller projects, ones whose total cost is in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. A total of $10,000 is available for this round. A dollar-for-dollar match by the applicant organization or its partner is required.

The deadline for applications is midnight, January 15, 2004. Successful applicants will be notified at the start of the construction season in April 2004. For information visit www.grtcinc.org (look under "Resources") for complete application packages. Read Sections I through IV to see if the project and the organization meet the minimum project/applicant criteria. The Genesee Region Trails Coalition is an organization whose mission is to help local communities develop and maintain a regional system of multi-use trails and promote responsible trail usage as a healthy and inexpensive recreational opportunity for all seasons.