New Grant for Expansion of Trails n Giles County

• Author: Mary Singleton
• Posted: 2024-03-29

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Saturday, November 7, that a new grant will be used to expand the popular New River Water Trail in Giles County. Funds in the amount of $32,940 will be available for the New River Valley Regional Commission, which is based in Fairlawn. It is for the New River Water Trail strategic plan's expansion of the trail.
 

Where the Grant Funds Came from

The grant for the New River Water Trail comes from $3.9 million awarded to the Appalachian Regional Commission. It is sourced from the federal government as part of the Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative. The New River Water Trail project will enhance the natural assets around the waterway. The goal of it is to boost talent attraction, tourism and job growth. It will do this with improvements to the accessibility of the river and trail.
 

How the New River Water Trail Grant Will Be Spent

The New River Water Trail grant will go for more signs on the trail. It will also pay for a survey of user groups and possible partners to help with future trail expansion and management needs. Finally, the New River Water Trail grant funds will expand marketing of the trail for tourism purposes.
 

What Local Community Leaders Think About the New River Water Trail Grant

Steve Fijalkowsi, who is the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Chairman, stated that a longer-term goal is to bring the trail's features to other parts of the region. He said that for users of the river and trails, there will be more details about what is where. This will allow visitors to do more exploring of the river area. It should be a draw for out-of-region and regional visitors who might not otherwise spend time at the New River Water Trail. He expects it to bring more consumer spending into the region.
 

Process of Identifying New River Water Trail Features

The New River Valley Regional Commission's executive director, Kevin Byrd, said that the process will identify potential locations for new boat ramps and improvements to the existing boat ramps on the river. They also want to make a marketing plan for promoting the New River Water Trail as a community outdoor recreational asset that anyone can use. Currently, a lot of people in the region are unaware of the trail system around the river.
 

About the New River Water Trail

The New River Water Trail is currently 37 miles long. It goes through Giles County. It offers water-based recreation including fishing, swimming and rafting. It also offers easy access to a range of hiking trails, wildlife viewing and restaurants and lodging options.
 

Other Grant Funds for the New River Water Trail

This is not the only grant available for expanding and improving the New River Water Trail. The Appalachian Regional Commission grant provides $1.4 million for projects related to the New River/Mount Rogers in Radford. The grant is for workforce development. It is designed for the Pathways to a Strong and Healthy Region project. That program is an initiative is designed to help people who live in the Radford area and have substance abuse disorders. That grant will help more than 350 workers who are in recovery for substance use disorders. It will also pay for services provided by 30 workers in the health care and social services fields. More than 150 small businesses in the area will be able to get some of the funds.
 

Why the New River Water Trail Grant Funds Are Important

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of small businesses and restaurants to shut down or drastically scale back their operations. At the same time, substance use disorders have increased. There are fewer treatment beds on an inpatient basis, and long waiting lists for outpatient services discourage a lot of people from getting the help they desperately need in order to overcome their addiction. Finally, many people are fed up with being stuck at home, and getting out in nature for exercise, wildlife observation or a hike in the woods are actions that benefit mental health. In order to get through the pandemic, people need an outlet to relieve anxiety, stress and sadness. The New River Water Trail offers a way for people to support others in their community and choose a healthy method of stress relief.