Cramerton greenway stays on track with sizeable contribution
Cramerton’s years-long plan to connect the town with McAdenville by extending an existing greenway is finally coming to fruition.
According to Cramerton Planning Director Josh Watkins, the move could lead to significant economic growth.
In June, Cramerton was awarded $400,000 from North Carolina’s Rural Transformation Grant Fund for "Community Enhancements for Economic Growth."
This category awards funding specifically for tasks like acquiring land, preparing business sites, or removing existing structures that might limit progress, according to a press release from North Carolina Gov. Cooper’s Office.
“We knew going into the budget year that we were applying for a grant to build the greenway,” Watkins said.
“That didn’t quite cover it,” Watkins said.
According to Watkins, the trail is still in the design phase, so there is no finalized cost, however, current estimates are around $1.2 million to $1.5 million.
Despite the large estimate, Watkins says this move could be significant for the town economically.
“People feel like, ‘Ugh why are we spending money on that,’” Watkins said.
According to Watkins, a study commissioned by the Carolina Thread Trail showed significant economic impact in cities stemming from investments in trails.
The study included a breakdown of benefits specifically for Goat Island Park and the River Link Greenway.
According to the study, there are currently 89 businesses within a half mile of the trail that benefit from its visitors.
Trail traffic and usage creates 29 jobs, $1.6 million in wages, and $63,000 in local tax dollars every year.
The study also discusses the individual savings the trail can offer to residents and visitors.
People using the trail once per week save an average of $375 per year in healthcare costs.
Those who use the trail twice per week save $750 annually, and those who utilize the trail three or more times per week save an average of $1,125 per year.
According to the study, increased tree density and natural land coverage can also lead to a reduced number of respiratory illnesses.
Additionally, the greenway will provide recreation and transportation opportunities, according to Watkins.
“You can walk or bike without getting on the road at all,” Watkins said. “The only limitation will be on motorized vehicles."
The path will be mostly paved with boardwalks in a few marshy places and will be open to skates, bikes, walking and other forms of transportation without a motor.
Currently, the town hopes to have the designing for the trail complete by January 2024, and aims for construction to begin in May 2024.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Cramerton receives funding needed to extend greenway to McAdenville.
