Outdoor Rec Roundtable Awards Post-Helene Micro-Grants – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
OLD FORT, N.C. – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the recipients of its Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Program, a targeted effort to aid the restoration of outdoor recreation assets in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Each of the selected grantees plays a critical role in restoring the trails, access points, and outdoor infrastructure that are essential to their communities’ economic recovery, resiliency and continued connection to the outdoors and its myriad benefits. In total, 189 grantees applied for grants between $1-10,000 requesting over $1.75 million in funds, the release continued. These grants are made possible through generous funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and The VF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of VF Corporation, the parent company of brands including The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Smartwool and Altra.
“Outdoor recreation is at the heart of so many communities in these areas, driving local economics, supporting public health, and serving as a source of resilience,” said Cassie Elrod, Program and Administrative Director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “These communities were hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and we are proud to stand with the local leaders and volunteers on the ground who are restoring the spaces that connect people to nature and provide economic opportunity.”
The importance of these recovery efforts is underscored by recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which shows that outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in these regions:
Along with today’s announcement, ORR will continue to spotlight for federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector partners the need for continued recovery and reinvestment in Helene-impacted outdoor recreation economies, and also invite visitors to enjoy the countless high-quality trails, rivers, parks, lakes, and campgrounds that have already been restored and serve as the backbone of the region’s identity and economic success.
ORR’s Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Recipients
CAMP GRIER, located in Old Fort, North Carolina, has been actively working to restore trails, trailheads, and parking areas on public lands in McDowell County resulting from Hurricane Helene. Funding will be used to build an alternative access point to Gateway Trails and continue to support volunteer workdays needed to restore outdoor recreation infrastructure in the area.
“On behalf of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce we’d like to extend our gratitude to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and their partners for this award. The outdoor recreation business sector continues to grow in Old Fort and McDowell County and this award will ensure that our businesses can continue to rely on recreation users coming to the region as they work to recover from Hurricane Helene,” said Kim Effler, Director, McDowell Chamber of Commerce.
KEEP ASHE BEAUTIFUL has been concentrating on cleaning trash and debris from the most traveled routes along the New River in Ashe County, North Carolina. These segments of the river are heavily relied upon and support local outfitters renting canoes, kayaks, and tubes for recreational purposes.
“The important work that Keep Ashe Beautiful has done in our community is nothing short of amazing. The drive and passion with which they serve results in widespread improvement and community involvement. Our outdoor recreation offerings are a critical part of our tourism-based economy. This generous grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable will significantly impact Keep Ashe Beautiful’s ability to successfully execute the Clean River 2025 initiative and is very much appreciated.
The annual economic impact of spending on outdoor recreation trips that include the New River in Ashe County is $51.7 million in economic activity, 552 full-time equivalent jobs, and $21.1 million in labor income. So, the Clean River 2025 project of Keep Ashe Beautiful is ensuring the health, ease of use, and beauty of this most valuable natural resource,” said Kitty Honeycutt, Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce.
CAROLINA CLIMBERS’ COALITION employs trail stewards and leverages community volunteer power to clear fallen trees, rebuild trails, and restoring safe access to the Pace Cliffs Trail in Polk County, NC, the Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trails in Rutherford County, NC, and the Pumpkintown Trail in Pickens County, SC – areas all needing extensive rehabilitation following Hurricane Helene.
“We’re thrilled to learn that the Carolina Climbers Coalition has received a grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable to support relief efforts in Pickens County. The Pumpkintown Trail has suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene and recent wildfires. This funding will play a vital role in restoring the area and ensuring a safer, more enjoyable experience for visitors to our outdoor attractions,” said Tyler Merck, Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Pickens County, SC.
