The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority was recently awarded $375,000 for trail construction, trailhead enhancement and signage for the Mountain bike trail connector between Britton Peak and Lutsen Mountain.
The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) funds the Regional Trails program through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.
A new program, the Regional Trails grants assists with engineering and construction of various types of new trails such as snowmobile, bicycle, ski, hiking, and ATV. Nine projects, including the Britton Peak to Lutsen connector mountain bike trail, were recently awarded grants that will either create new paths or improve existing trails throughout the region.
The Britton Peak to Lutsen single-track mountain bike connector trail is 15.9 miles long. Several miles have been completed with the aid of a $278,000 Legacy grant and some local money donated by the Lutsen/Tofte Tourism Association and the Superior Cycling Club.
“Trails can have important economic impacts to a rural region,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “They attract tourism spending and auxiliary startup businesses such as rental and repair shops. Trails can also be a business recruiting tool for health care and other large industries.”
The Superior Cycling Association has agreed to provide trail maintenance for no less than 20 years.
All of the 2019 projects require a one-to-one match, and grants were awarded based upon community impact and partnerships, economic impact, job creation, project leverage, and readiness. The Regional Trails program is funded at $3.47 million for the fiscal year 2019.
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