North Carolina has awarded $1.24 million in federal grants to support 13 trail development projects and five safety and education initiatives, continuing the state's commitment to expanding recreational opportunities and fostering economic growth through outdoor infrastructure. These grants, administered through the North Carolina Trails Program and selected by the North Carolina Trails Committee (NCTC), come from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a federal program that funds trail-related projects nationwide.

The Trails Program prioritizes projects based on a detailed scoring system that assesses their sustainability, connectivity, maintenance plans, and economic need. The program values proposals that align with modern trail design standards, provide safe and well-maintained pathways, and enhance regional connectivity. Projects must demonstrate strong public support, and the program also considers economic factors such as county distress rankings in project proposals. The ranking system assigns points for factors such as trail classification, surface type, connectivity, economic need, and accessibility. For example, new trail construction scores higher than renovations, and projects located in economically distressed counties receive additional points.

Among the awarded projects is the Town of Boone’s initiative to enhance the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST) and develop Rivers House Park. This effort is expected to provide significant economic benefits by drawing visitors into Boone’s vibrant downtown district.  “Outdoor recreation is a big economic driver in North Carolina, generating approximately $9.9 billion in 2020 alone,” said Laney Wise, grants coordinator with the Town of Boone. The one-mile trail system will serve employees and visitors in Downtown Boone as well as students at Appalachian State University. “The economic benefits will be seen through increased sales at our small businesses,” said Wise. “As Boone’s major industry is tourism, the economic benefit from this project will be seen in our biggest sector.”

Boone officials plan to use visitor numbers as an informal measurement of the trail’s economic impact. “The more individuals accessing the trail, the more likely they will come into Downtown Boone for meals, drinks, or hiking gear,” said Wise. She adds that the town’s existing tourism sector provides a strong foundation for estimating the project’s future contributions, noting that more than $517.51 million was generated from visitor spending in Watauga County in 2023.

The Blue Ridge Conservancy was also awarded a $100,000 RTP grant for a separate part of the NPST in Ashe County: the Three Top Mountain Trail. “We anticipate the NPST having numerous economic benefits to the communities within Ashe and Watauga counties,” said Jordan Sellers, Northern Peaks State Trail coordinator for the Blue Ridge Conservancy. “Our ultimate goal is to connect Boone to West Jefferson and Jefferson. This will include backcountry hiking trails, front-country parks, multi-use paths, and sidewalks. This variety of improvements and experiences should have a wide impact on our local economies—outdoor recreation and public access and investments in improving active transportation will boost businesses from a visitor and local spending perspective.”

Funded by local stakeholders and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation in 2017, the Northern Peaks Trail Master Plan estimated the annual economic impact of the NPST at $2.5 million. A Business Case Analysis (BCA) completed by Dr. John Whitehead and students from Appalachian State University conservatively estimated that Paddy Mountain Park, located at the West Jefferson Trailhead of the NPST and home to 3.4 miles of trails, will have an annual economic benefit of $158,000. “It is reasonable to assume that once constructed, the Three Top Mountain section of the NPST will meet or exceed that amount,” said Sellers.

In addition to increasing economic opportunities for small businesses, the trail is expected to foster job growth in the outdoor industry. “Increasing public access between Boone and the Jeffersons will create more opportunities for local guides and outfitters to offer new experiences to their customers,” said Sellers. “Businesses whose mission is to get people outside and to experience what makes the High Country special should find that new opportunities, and job creation, will appear as we complete sections of the trail.”

The broader economic benefits of trail infrastructure are well-documented. According to the American Trails organization, trails contribute to local economies by increasing tourism revenue, boosting property values, and reducing healthcare costs through increased physical activity. The RTP grants awarded in North Carolina align with this national trend, demonstrating how targeted investment in outdoor recreation can yield lasting economic and community benefits.

Among the other awarded projects, funding will support trail expansions in multiple counties, including the development of the Pinnacle Park Recreation Trails in Jackson County and Rosman Riverfront Park in Transylvania County. The five grants allocated to safety and education initiatives include funding for McDowell Tech Trail School and certification for Carolina Mountain Club sawyers.

While the state has not conducted economic impact analyses specific to the RTP grants, Kris Anne Bonifacio, public information officer with the Division of Parks and Recreation at the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said that data collection efforts are underway. “We are currently in the midst of an economic impact analysis of the North Carolina state parks system, of the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and of the state trails,” she said. “That data will be included in the 2025 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.”