With a recent economic impact study attributing $12 million in annualrevenues to users of southwestern Pennsylvania’s Great Allegheny Passage, the Trail Town program is expanding to help communities across the Maryland border benefit from the biking boom.
“Thecounts (of users) along the trail are growing,” says Cathy McCollum ofthe Trail Town program, based in Greensburg, PA. “In our first twoyears in Pennsylvania, we’ve seen 18 new businesses and 107 new jobs.We have a good track record.”
With an annual grant of $50,000from the Progress Fund, which operates the Pennsylvania Trail Townsprogram, and a matching amount from the federal Appalachian RegionalCommission, the project will focus its first development efforts inFrostburg, Cumberland, and Oldtown. The Great Allegheny Passage meetsthe C&O Canal towpath at Cumberland, so that Oldtown will be thefirst towpath town to receive help.
“We’re focusing on how toget users off the trail and into their businesses,” says Bill Atkinson,of the Maryland Department of Planning, who will co-direct the Marylandeffort.
Signage and safety, public art, and special eventsmark Trail Town efforts, like the Produce Pedal sponsored by the Trailtown program this Saturday, June 20. The 28-mile guided ride begins atthe Boston (PA) trail access and features a tour of the trail-sideMilestones Specialty Produce greenhouse and the opportunity to buyfresh lettuce.
Source: Cathy McCollum, Trail Town Program; Bill Atkinson, Maryland Dept. of Planning
Writer: Chris O’Toole
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