Johnston County, Town Of Selma Awarded Great Trail State Program Grants
RALEIGH – Governor Josh Stein announced Thursday that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded nearly $11 million to trail development and restoration projects in the Piedmont. The General Assembly authorized these funds as part of the Great Trails State Program.
“The Piedmont is known for its cities and world-class universities, but from Pilot Mountain to the Haw River, it’s also home to some of our state’s most amazing wildlife and natural wonders,” said Governor Stein. “This funding will spur local tourism and encourage more people to explore North Carolina’s incredible beauty.”
These awards include projects at more than 70 local trails throughout the state, helping to solidify North Carolina as the Great Trails State.
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation received 89 applications requesting $28 million, and 79 projects were selected. More than $44.5 million was provided in matching funds for a total trails investment exceeding $69.3 million.
In Johnston County, the Town of Selma was awarded $500,000 for the Selma MST Nature Preserve Trail Phase I Project.
The County of Johnston received $225,000 for the Neuse River Trail – Talton Property.
Local communities applied for grants to fund new trail development or to extend existing trails. This includes paved trails or greenways, natural surface trails, biking trails, equestrian trails, and any other type of trail the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources recognizes. Projects could include planning and feasibility studies, design and engineering, acquisition of land for trail development, trail construction, and maintenance of existing trails. Applicants were required to provide matching funds, based on their county tier designation.
The General Assembly established the Great Trails State Program in 2023, representing a historic investment of $25 million in North Carolina trails. The program offers matching grants to North Carolina local governments, public authorities, NC Regional Councils of Government, and nonprofit organizations.
“Trails bring outstanding benefits to both urban and rural communities, boosting tourism and economic development,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “This generous funding, made possible by the N.C. General Assembly, will help transform the state trails system in the Great Trails State.”
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What has Selma been doing with any of its money? We see all of these grants and funding, but the only thing new is the license plate identification cameras at every entrance. Johnston County is now having them mounted all over the county entrances as well. Federal government funding for local government loyalty. 1984 is here.
This is the first time the Town of Selma has received a grant of this size. They are using to provide a nature trail to the citizens of Selma. It is not part of the Johnston County budget at all.