Lawrence County to apply for $250,000 trail-rehabilitation grant, will provide $375,000 match

Lawrence County commissioners voted April 14 to authorize a grant application to repair and pave sections of the county-owned bicycle trail.

Amy McKini, the county planning director, told the board the application seeks $250,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) to fund phase three of the rehabilitation, including paving and drainage work. She said the county has budgeted a $375,000 local match in the grants and program line item.

“We have been chopping away at getting grant funds to do the rehabilitation of the bike trail which is definitely needed,” McKini said, noting the project will address drainage and paving along the trail corridor that spans Union and Mahoning townships.

Commissioners moved and carried the resolution authorizing the application. The board said completing drainage work and paving are priorities to support tourism and recreational use in Lawrence County.

If the grant is awarded, the county plans to work with Taylor Engineering and other contractors already engaged in earlier phases of the project. The resolution allows staff to submit the application and proceed with required preaward steps; funding and final contractor selection would follow formal award notifications.

The board approved the authorization by roll call. The county will notify the public if the grant is awarded and detail any subsequent procurement or construction schedule.