Economic development director seeks Rural Champions grant to fund trails coordinator

Economic development director Ginny Taftman asked the board's permission to apply for the Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity "Rural Champions" grant to fund a part-time, 12-month position devoted to trails planning and implementation.

"What I would like to see for us if we did an application for this program would be to have someone work with me for the next 12 months part time to be able to focus on trails in the county," Taftman said. She described the grant as funding up to 20 hours per week at $20/hour with a modest county match for workspace and travel. Taftman suggested Amy Robertson, a tourism board member who has volunteered on trails work, as the rural champion for the application.

Commissioners and staff discussed office space options, the $5,000 local match for the grant, and how the county could offer additional hours to score better in the application. The board expressed support for the application and asked Taftman to continue developing the proposal.