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Burke, McDowell and Catawba counties will get money for trail construction and planning of trails.

Gov. Josh Stein announced Thursday that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has allocated more than $11 million in grants for communities and nonprofits in western North Carolina from Great Trails State Program funding.

A news release from Stein’s office said the Great Trails State Program offers matching grants to North Carolina local governments, public authorities, regional council of governments and nonprofit organizations, the release said.

The grant awards include more than 70 local trail projects throughout the state, the release said.

Local counties awarded are:

• The city of Â鶹´«Ã½ will get $374,000 for Â鶹´«Ã½ Greenway and Mountain Bike Extension.
• Burke County will get $399,819 for Burke County Fonta Flora State Trail and Overmountain Victory State Trail construction—Paddy’s Creek.
• Burke County also will get $363,067 for repairs and construction to FFST and OVST.
• Western Piedmont Council of Governments will receive $100,000 for Burke—Catawba Blueway Planning and Feasibility Study.
• The city of Hickory will receive $500,000 to reconstruct the elevated boardwalk at Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park.
• Burke, Caldwell and McDowell Counties will receive $499,197 for Camp Grier for Grandfather Ranger District Trail Expansion.
• McDowell County will get $500,000 for Curtis Creek Bridge—Old Fort Fonta Flora Complex, Phase III.
• McDowell County will receive $500,000 for Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway—Phase III (STIP Project No. EB-5916).

The release said local communities applied for the grants to fund new trail development and extension of existing trails. This includes paved trails or greenways, natural surface trails, biking trails, equestrian trails and any other type of trail recognized by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Projects could include planning and feasibility studies, design and engineering, acquisition of lands for trail development, trail construction and maintenance of existing trails. Applicants are required to provide matching funds, based on their county tier designation, the release said.

“Trails bring incredible benefits to both urban and rural communities, boosting tourism and economic development,� Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said in a release.