ALTOONA, Pa. – The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC), with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), announces the launch of Round 6 of the Southern Alleghenies Regional Greenways Mini-Grant Program, which aims to provide funding for projects that support the Southern Alleghenies Greenways and Open Space Network Plan and the Southern Alleghenies Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
The Southern Alleghenies Greenways and Open Space Network Plan, which can be found online at www.sapdc.org, outlines a series of policies and projects for linking existing natural and man-made resources within the Southern Alleghenies Region of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Projects eligible for mini-grant funding do not have to be specifically named in the Plan, but must support the Plan’s overall purpose and goals:
- Conserve important natural resources
- Expand recreation opportunities
- Celebrate cultural heritage
- Bolster economic development
- Increase pedestrian and bicycle mobility
- Promote healthy lifestyles
Additionally, the Southern Alleghenies Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan also prioritizes eligible project types such as bicycle and pedestrian sandwich board signs in downtown areas with heavy bike and foot traffic, new or existing trail development, installation of bike racks in downtowns, development and improvement of trail heads, bicycle signage for on and off-road trails, on and off-road feasibility studies, and municipal/county bicycle plans.
This program is open to planning, technical assistance, and development projects located within the Southern Alleghenies Region ONLY. Any municipality, council of government, conservation district or redevelopment authority may submit an application.
The funding for this program is provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund (Key 93). Requests are limited to $50,000 and require a dollar-for-dollar cash or in-kind match. Mini-grant funds may NOT be used to fulfill match requirements for other DCNR funded projects.
Program guidelines, application form, and schedule are available online at www.sapdc.org. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 20, 2020.
SAP&DC staff will hold a pre-application workshop to assist potential applicants with the application process. The workshop is scheduled for May 7, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the SAP&DC office. Webinar and conference calling will also be made available. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Stacy LoCastro, Grants Coordinator, by phone at (814) 949-6510 or by email at slocastro@sapdc.org.
