Updates about the “Saxton Trail Connectivity Study” were discussed and suggestions shared by representatives of the borough and township, along with representatives from Broad Top Township and the H&BT Rail Trail Advisory group during the recent Saxton session.

The 43-page study, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in cooperation with Bedford County and the Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC), is looking at potential connections with existing trails in and around the Borough of Saxton and Liberty Township, explained Jason Graham, outdoor recreation coordinator with the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA).

Four trail routes situated in the Saxton area include the popular H&BT Rail Trail, Terrace Mountain Trail, Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad Trail and the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River (Water) Trail.

Other local recreational opportunities also involve the nearby Mid-State Trail which follows the top of Tussey Mountain, and the 30-mile-long Raystown Lake, Standing Stone Trail, added Graham.

“The SAP&DC and the local and regional community seek to connect these trails through and around Saxton Borough, effectively designing Saxton as a ‘trail town’ and potentially spurring economic development through tourism,” Graham told members of the local planning committee.

The outdoor recreation coordinator cited the Mid State Trail as being a major hiking trail system which traverses 324 miles from north to south through Pennsylvania while the 80-mile Standing Stone Trail is approximately 20 miles east of Saxton and includes the historical “1,000 Steps” near Mapleton, Huntingdon County, which is visited by trail enthusiasts and locals.

Present for the recent meeting were Broad Top Township Supervisors chairman Donnie Hedge Jr. and Donald Black, who updated the group on upcoming improvements to the H&BT Rail Trail, a popular recreational route that connects Tatesville with the Warriors Path State Park south of Saxton, all located in northern Bedford County.

With an eye on potential future development that would focus on hiking, walking and bicycling, the “Saxton Trail Connectivity Study” also desires safe routes for pedestrian and bicycle travel and exercise, opportunities for business expansion, community improvements, activities and public spaces for social bonding between residents and neighbors and programs and events that promote healthier lifestyles and outdoor activities, the study notes.

In summary, the local trail study focuses on four priority trail routes:

–the 13-mile H&BT Rail Trail, constructed in phases by the Broad Top Township Supervisors over the past decade that that would connect with the Saxton area via a three-mile “Blue Route.”

–the “Orange Route” linking the 27-mile Terrace Mountain Trail which closely parallels the eastern side of Raystown Lake.

–the “Pink Route,” which would connect Saxton to the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River (water) Trail and the Captain Phillips Veterans of Foreign Wars Post softball/picnic pavilion facility in Stonestown.

–the “Green Route” which has the potential for linking East Saxton with the Carbon Township Park in Huntingdon County via the former H&BT’s Shoup’s Run branch.

In addition to potential trail development, the proposal would include ADA accessible upgrades, traffic signal and crossing improvements, bike lanes or shared lane markings and wayfinding.

Preliminary budget estimates range from $988,000to $3.2 million using public bid pricing and construction material and labor costs, the study suggests.

In addition, the proposed project also includes trailheads and public space improvement recommendations and locations, noted the trail connectivity study.

During its July meeting, the Liberty Township Supervisor unanimously adopted a resolution for the submission of a $3 million funding grant application to state officials for the proposed trail development initiative that would encompass the township and neighboring Saxton Borough.

The proposal would support Saxton as a “Trail Town” while following up on future expansion of the H&BT Rail Trail, along with proposed plans by the Warriors Path State Park for improvements to its access road (former H&BT mainline right of way) connecting the state park with the Saxton area.

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Before it became the newest section of the Logan Valley Trail, the space connecting Becker Road and Lower Riggles Gap Road was a hazardous waste site.

Funded by a $1.3 million Abandoned Mine Lands grant, workers administered by the Department of Environmental Protection hauled from the site about 300,000 tons of coal, which was created by the nearby railroad, Antis Township manager Douglas Brown said.

The department installed the trail surface after cleaning the area, he said. As part of the coal project, Robindale Energy also matched PennDOT’s grant for phase three of the trail that will extend to Juniata.

To celebrate the completion of the second section of the trailway, local representatives and trail fans gathered Wednesday morning by the trailhead at 428 Lower Riggles Gap Road, which runs adjacent to a Norfolk Southern mainline track.

Chairman of the Antis Township Board of Supervisors George Bell said he didn’t see the wasteland’s potential at first, but now realizes the value with a 1.7-mile-long nature path.

“Now, it’s this jewel, it’s this beautiful,” he said. “Thankfully, people had vision.”

A few years ago, the township coordinated a trail feasibility study and found out the community supported the idea of a trail, Brown said.

With plans to construct a 0.8-mile trail from Bellwood’s Main Street to Becker Road, the township paid for real estate purchases and easements. PennDOT, the Department of Community and Economic Development and Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission built the trail for $2.1 million, a previous Mirror article states.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in December 2024 with plans to expand the trail from Becker Road to Lower Riggles Gap Road.

Work on the second half of the project spanned from winter 2024 until this summer, Blair County Trail, Park and Recreation Authority Executive Director Glenn Evans said, with the township installing fences and a bridge a few months ago.

They have yet to install a trailhead sign and parking, he said, but many people have already incorporated the Logan Valley Trail into their daily activities.

“These are four-season trails, so even though most of the use happens in spring, summer, fall, we see cross-country skiing; when the weather is fine, people go hiking,” he said.

And when phase three of the project begins, Evans said the paved trailways will be even more accessible to the community. He said they’re also considering adding an overlook area.

“Particularly with things like the Big Boy (steam locomotive) where folks were coming out of the woodwork to see trains come through, (we’re) trying to build off that heritage,” he said.

For now, however, Bell said contributors to the trailway project are still working on their final version of the Logan Valley Trail, adding, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

“But the persistence and the patience and the vision is unbelievable, and the township residents are just very very grateful,” he said.

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The expansion comes through a new partnership with Coupang, one of South Korea’s largest online retailers and one of the fastest-growing retail and technology companies in the world. Through this collaboration, Kate’s Real Food will introduce its line of organic snack bars to customers across South Korea for the first time.

This opportunity was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission’s (SAP&DC) International Program and the U.S. Commercial Service. Kate’s Real Food participated in the “Launch Your Food & Beverage Products in South Korea” program, which provided U.S. companies with the opportunity to pitch directly to Coupang’s buying team.

Representing the company at the event was Mark Thaler, Executive Vice President of Sales for Kate’s Real Food. Following a competitive selection process, Kate’s was named a winner and onboarded onto Coupang’s platform at no cost. Shortly after, the company received a $10,000 purchase order for shipment to South Korea—marking a significant milestone in its international expansion.

Kate’s Real Food was born from a simple belief: healthy snacks help you make the most of every adventure. Founder Kate created homemade energy bars to fuel long days of skiing, hiking, and biking. Made with simple, organic ingredients, her bars quickly became a local favorite and grew into a nationally recognized brand built on transparency and real food you can recognize.

“As a brand built on organic ingredients and real food you can recognize, we’ve seen a clear shift in what people expect from the food they choose,” said Mark Thaler, Executive Vice President of Sales for Kate’s Real Food. “Our partnership with Coupang allows us to meet that demand in South Korea, introducing Kate’s to new customers without compromising what makes our snack bars different.”

The expansion highlights how strategic international trade support can create tangible results for Pennsylvania companies. Through the joint efforts of SAP&DC’s International Program and the U.S. Commercial Service, Kate’s Real Food is increasing export sales, expanding its global reach, and fueling new adventures for customers around the world.

For more information about Kate’s Real Food and its products, visit www.katesrealfood.com

For more information about Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development’s International Trade Program, visit https://sapdc.net/international-trade/ and call or email Joyce Hoffman, International Trade Program Specialist at 814-949-6527 or jhoffman@sapdc.net.

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ATA Aviation, Aerium, the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission and other agencies launched Drone814 in 2025 in Johnstown in Cambria County. The public-private initiative aims to use drones to deliver emergency medical equipment.

Emergency medical help from a drone? A southcentral PA project could be a leader.

[Originally Published on WPSU, December 17, 2025] 

Aerial photographs, weather observations and even food delivery are a few of the uses for drones, but what about getting emergency medical equipment to rural areas when it’s needed, quickly? A public-private partnership in southcentral Pennsylvania is aiming to use drones to do just that.

“The drone takes off and it goes somewhere and it lowers the package on a winch and drops it on your lawn,” said John Eberhardt, managing director of ATA Aviation, explaining the logistics of how it works. ATA Aviation is a Virginia-based technology company and a key partner in the project.

Drone814 — the name comes from the region’s area code — received $1.9 million in U.S. Department of Transportation funding for the first phase of testing in the Johnstown area. The funding came through a SMART grant — Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation — and the project could be one of the first of its kind in the country.

“The idea was, can we use drones and prove that an autonomous drone can get integrated with the 911 system and deliver aid in an automated way that complements and enhances the ambulance service,” Eberhardt said.

So, imagine you’re with someone who has just had a drug overdose or a severe allergic reaction. You call 911. Before the ambulance even gets there, an aerial drone delivers a package with life-saving medicine and equipment. The person who called 911 can get the package and use the defibrillator or Narcan or EpiPen, with the 911 dispatcher talking them through the process if needed.

Eberhardt said whether it’s a heart attack or a drug overdose, the faster you deliver aid, the more likely someone is to survive.

“The longer it goes, the longer you don’t administer aid, your survival is dropping by the minute,” he said. “So, yeah, minutes matter.”

That could make it especially helpful in rural areas that take longer to reach.

The first phase included about 60 test flights in the Johnstown area. The drone beat the ambulance about a third of the time and tied it about a third of the time. Eberhardt said they know what they need to do to shorten that response time in the next phase.

Matthew Bjorkman is the transportation program manager at the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, the partner in the project that applied for the funding.

He said for stage two, they’ll take what they learned in Johnstown and scale it out to the whole six-county project area.

Along with Cambria, the counties in the project are Blair, Huntingdon, Fulton, Bedford and Somerset. They plan to apply for up to $15 million in federal funding for the next phase.

“We’re really excited to get the opportunity to apply to round two, and hopefully get the award and continue the project and building it out across the region,” Bjorkman said.

The post SAP&DC In The News: Emergency medical help from a drone? A southcentral PA project could be a leader appeared first on Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission.

(Originally Published in the Altoona, PA Mirror, July 1st, 2025)

The September 11 National Memorial Trail project and an industrial expansion in Huntingdon County received major grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, totaling more than $3.7 million, according to a news release from the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission.

These investments will advance job creation, tourism and long-term economic vitality throughout the Southern Alleghenies region.

The Riverview Business Center Expansion Access Project in Huntingdon County will receive $2.8 million in Local Access Road funds for the Riverview Business Center Expansion Access Project to the Huntingdon County Business and Industry Inc. The funds will be used to make essential roadway and infrastructure improvements along Lenape Drive, including installation of a traffic signal and construction of two 250-foot turning lanes.

These upgrades will enhance traffic safety, accommodate the expansion of businesses at the park and support the creation of up to 250 new jobs.

“This project has been years in the making,” said Debra Clark, president of HCBI.

The SAP&DC secured more than $3.7 million in ARC funding improvements that directly benefit current tenants and open the door for future development. HCBI is currently in talks with three business prospects and has four shovel-ready parcels and 45 additional acres available for growth.

“This is great news for Huntingdon County. As business expands, the highway access improvements will support the safe and efficient flow of traffic to the business park, while also helping to reduce congestion along Route 522,” said Huntingdon County Commissioner Scott Walls. “It’s encouraging to see more businesses choosing to locate and grow here. We remain committed to finding new ways to make Huntingdon County an attractive place for economic development.”

The other project is the September 11 National Memorial Trail — Garrett Area Improvements Project in Somerset County.

ARC has awarded $930,319 for the development of 1,500 linear feet of new trail that will connect the 9/11 National Memorial Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail in the Garrett area.

This long-anticipated project will attract 2,100 additional visitors annually, support three new local businesses and expand Garrett’s role in the regional trail economy.

SAP&DC facilitated the grant application and played a critical role in advancing this priority from concept to reality, as outlined in the 2024 Alleghenies Outdoors report and a recent DCNR-funded trail alignment study.

“The September 11 National Memorial Trail Alliance is excited to work in collaboration with Somerset County to develop the 911 Trail,” said Jeffrey McCauley, President of the September 11 National Memorial Trail Alliance. “This ARC grant award is a great example of how the Alliance and the County can collaborate to achieve large goals.”

“These two projects are significant,” said Lee Slusser, Director, Planning and Community Development Division. Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. “A new signalized entrance will help Riverview Business Center businesses create up to 250 new jobs. Meanwhile, the 9/11 Trail project will draw new tourism spending across every community it touches.”

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Originally published in the Huntingdon Daily News, July 1st, 2025

The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) and GAI Consultants held a public meeting at the Tussey Mountain middle-high school auditorium last week.

The purpose of the session was to discuss area trail development in relation to future recreational activities in the Saxton area.

SAP&DC transportation program manager Mathew Bjorkman welcomed a small contingency of residents and business leaders that turned out to hear the 4 p.m. presentation. He introduced SAP&DC planning and community development director Lee Slusser and GAI Consultants senior project manager Robert Genter who addressed the audience about the project.

Genter stated the trail project started a few years ago with some local stakeholders. He said this is a trail study for in and around Saxton Borough and is being funded through a grant by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the state Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Genter said this is a project that is looking at all the positive elements of Saxton and trying to put together a plan to move forward to even make it better. He said the area has a lot of natural resources that people come here for now like Raystown Lake and many other trails.

Genter said the discussion involves talking about many other trail features in particular, but that the Saxton area has many things going on for it with all the outdoor adventure and activities and people are attracted to that. He said what they are trying to do here is to put together a plan that identifies connections from existing trail systems into the borough and also walking ADA accessibility and wayfinding within the borough itself to guide people and direct them to a plan that is safe and provides mobility.

“It’s meant to be a project that puts together a plan with priorities and budgets so that Saxton Borough, SAP&DC, Bedford County and you to build on. The whole point is to make it better for the community as well as business owners and residents,” he said.

During the presentation, Genter said they were going to go through some of the proposed routes and what those routes might look like. At the end of the presentation, the discussion opened up for questions and answers, thoughts and comments.

Genter said this is a project they have been working on for several months and what they’re going to do is put together a track support and a committee of about 14 or 15 different people from a variety of interests that will help review the plan.

The goal of the study is to look at the feasibility of connecting four existing trails (the H&BT Trail, the Terrace Mountain Trail, the H&BT Railroad Mountain Trail and the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River Trail) to businesses and areas of interest in Saxton Borough. It was stated that the trail connection plan can promote infrastructure improvements, walkability in town and increased tourism and economic development in the area.

Genter asked if anyone in the audience has kayaked down the Juniata River. He said they’re not only looking at land trails, but waterway trails also.

He noted hiking on Terrace Mountain. He said these are the types they are trying to connect to, to bring them into Saxton Borough.

Genter said this project is built on some past studies in and around the region. He said it is really about connections to both the outdoors and the community and about active transportation that is non-motorized such as biking, hiking, jogging, etc.

He said the plan includes the creation of safe lanes for people to walk, bike and drive. He said all Pennsylvania roadways have been designed for motor vehicles and sidewalks for walking and officials want to look at it differently now.

“So why do it?” he asked. He said there is a lot of health benefits including getting people outside and making it safe for them to move from home, school and shopping.

As with Raystown Lake, Genter said trails are just adding another potential layer of activities and economic stimulus. He provided a PowerPoint presentation that detailed the areas being described that are involved in the project.

One of the elements that may come out of this study, according to Genter, is its a priority project with many options. He said it has four priorities that he said officials can focus on getting them planned, designed and funded.

Genter noted as a trail town, Saxton could become a “hub” community. Saxton has a natural beauty with its surroundings and has a great history that can be tied into the former H&BT Railroad that utilized Saxton as its “motive headquarters” during its century of operations.

He said Saxton’s culture, railroad history and its natural resources are the things that need to be capitalized on to draw people to the area for recreational purposes. Genter said they are trying to reuse some of the old railroad alignments, look at where they went through the community and to make as many connections as possible.

Genter again noted the top four aforementioned routes that came out of the study. He said they had about 11 miles of concept.

He noted the fantastic efforts of Broad Top Township in developing the H&BT Trail through its municipality. The study currently underway, he said, will bring the H&BT Trail into the Saxton community.

Genter said DCNR and Warriors Path are also on board with the project. He said DCNR is already looking at building and adding on to a few more trailheads including a water trail.

The trail from Warriors Path State Park would come all the way into to Eighth Street in Saxton Borough to Main Street (Route 913) and through the community. It is hoped the trail could cut through FirstEnergy’s property and to Raystown Lake.

Genter said discussions have been held with some local property owners about the possibilities of gaining access to their properties for potential trails. Establishing trail heads close to area commerce is vital since that is where people coming in to recreate are going to spend their money.

While the access road to Warrior’s Path State Park already exists and has recently been improved, Genter said there are still a lot of improvements that will need to be made to that and in the area. He said a meeting was held with PennDOT to discuss Main Street and it is hoped that the speed limit through the community can be reduced from its current 30 mph to 25 mph.

Genter also noted the Saxton to Middletown (Carbon Township) portion of the former Shoup’s Run branch line of the H&BT. If something could be developed there, he said it would be a “win-win” situation for both Saxton Borough and Carbon Township.

“Bringing people into the area is the ultimate goal of all of this. It’s going to take the assistance and cooperation of many to make this a reality,” concluded Genter.

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Article appeared in the Huntingdon Daily News, June 28th, 2025

A project to improve access to the Riverview Business Center at Lenape Drive in Shirley Township has received a major grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

The Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission (SAP&DC) announced Friday the project is one of two recipients of major ARC grants totaling more than $3.7 million.

Of that more than $3.7 million in funding, the ARC approved $2.8 million in local access road funds for the Riverview Business Center expansion access project to Huntingdon County Business & Industry.

The funds will be used to make essential roadway and infrastructure improvements along Lenape Drive, including the installation of a traffic signal and construction of two 250-foot turning lanes.

The upgrades will enhance traffic safety, accommodate the expansion of businesses at the park and support the creation of up to 250 jobs.

The ARC funding of $2,856.162 will go toward the project’s total investment of $3,006,209.

“We are grateful to our partners, SAP&DC and the Huntingdon County Commissioners, for their support throughout the application process,” said HCBI director Debra Clark in a press release. “This project has been years in the making, and we deeply appreciate ARC for recognizing its impact. The improvements directly benefit current tenants and open the door for future development— HCBI is currently in talks with three business prospects, and we have four shovel-ready parcels and 45 additional acres available for growth.”

Huntingdon County Commissioner Scott Walls shared Clark’s sentiments.

“This is great news for Huntingdon County,” said Walls in a press release. “As business expands, the highway access improvements will support the safe and efficient flow of traffic to the business park, while also helping to reduce congestion along Route 522. It’s encouraging to see more businesses choosing to locate and grow here. We remain committed to finding new ways to make Huntingdon County an attractive place for economic development.”.

SAP&DC authored the successful grant proposal and helped coordinate key partnerships between HCBI, Huntingdon County, and local municipalities.

Clark discussed HCBI’s plans to apply for the ARC grant and the growing need for the project during a HCBI board meeting in November 2024.

“As the park continues to grow, some access problems are occurring at its main entrance,” she told the board, adding that SAPD&C conducted a traffic impact study (TIS) at the park in early 2024 in an effort to find a solution.

She said the TIS was approved by PennDOT in May 2024 and called for a traffic signal at Lenape Drive and Route 522, a 250-feet right turn lane along northbound Route 522, and a 250 feet left turn lane along southbound Route 522.

“Approximately 0.03 miles of Lenape Drive will be widened to accommodate the new intersection,” she added.

Clark also explained how the improvements will impact the businesses in the area.

“The improvements to Lenape Drive will likely require some right-of-way acquisition upgrades to the rail crossing,” she said. “The TIS also requires that potential sight distance improvements be studied for the much smaller ‘back door’ entrance to the park at Arrowhead Way (Township Road 554) and state Route 103 (Beacon Lodge Road).”

She said the entrances to Bonney Forge and the VFW along U.S. Route 522 will likely be modified to better facilitate the changes.

“This project will create adequate access to a growing business park that contains three of Huntingdon County’s 10 largest employers. It will enable IFC Services and Cabinetworks Group, two resident businesses, to complete their planned expansions and create new jobs.”

The intersection improvements will also aid in attracting more businesses to Riverview Business Center.

“It will allow the park’s 54.26 acres of unoccupied parcels to be developed,” said Clark.

At the time, Clark said it was anticipated the work could be done between 2026-2028. The total cost of the improvements are expected to cost about $3 million.

Anticipating the project would cost more than the available grant funds, Lee Slusser, director of SAP&DC’s planning and development division, visited the Huntingdon County Commissioners during one of their weekly meetings in November 2024 to seek a commitment of $150,000 to complete the project, if needed.

ARC officials sold Slusser at the time that $2.8 million is the largest amount the federal economic development partnership has ever funded in the state, and they were hesitant to increase the total.

“This has been a continuing concern for that intersection and the business park,” said commissioner Jeff Thomas following Slusser’s presentation. “I’ve seen the problems there with trucks missing the turn, needing to come completely across the road to make the turn. It’s a tremendous safety concern.”

Besides the safety improvement, Thomas said the added advantage will be job creation.

“And the commissioners certainly support that,” he said.

The commissioners voted to provide a letter of commitment for the funds, saying thaey will search for any available grant money to use for the match rather than county budget dollars.

The second ARC grant provides $930,319 to Somerset County for the development of 1,500 linear feet of new trail that will connect the 9/11 National Memorial Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail in the Garrett area. This long-anticipated project will attract 2,100 additional visitors annually, support three new local businesses and expand the area’s role in the regional trail economy.

In Friday’s announcement, Slusser said the two projects are significant.

“A new signalized entrance will help Riverview Business Center businesses create up to 250 new jobs. Meanwhile, the 9/11 Trail project will draw new tourism spending across every community it touches,” he said. “These awards were only possible thanks to the collaboration of county commissioners, municipalities, applicants and the SAP&DC staff. We can’t thank them enough.”

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Altoona, PA — The Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission (SAP&DC) is proud to announce the award of two major grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), totaling more than $3.7 million. These investments will bolster both industrial expansion in Huntingdon County and outdoor recreation development in Somerset County—advancing job creation, tourism, and long-term economic vitality throughout the Southern Alleghenies region.

Riverview Business Center Expansion Access Project – Huntingdon County

Total Investment: $3,006,209 | ARC Funding: $2,856,162

The ARC has approved $2.8 million in Local Access Road funds for the Riverview Business Center Expansion Access Project to the Huntingdon County Business and Industry, Inc. (HCBI). The funds will be used to make essential roadway and infrastructure improvements along Lenape Drive, including:

• Installation of a traffic signal
• Construction of two 250-foot turning lanes

These upgrades will enhance traffic safety, accommodate the expansion of businesses at the park, and support the creation of up to 250 new jobs.

“We are grateful to our partners, SAP&DC and the Huntingdon County Commissioners, for their support throughout the application process,” said Debra Clark, President of HCBI. “This project has been years in the making, and we deeply appreciate ARC for recognizing its impact. The improvements directly benefit current tenants and open the door for future development—HCBI is currently in talks with three business prospects, and we have four shovel-ready parcels and 45 additional acres available for growth.”

“This is great news for Huntingdon County. As business expands, the highway access improvements will support the safe and efficient flow of traffic to the business park, while also helping to reduce congestion along Route 522,” said Huntingdon County Commissioner Scott Walls. “It’s encouraging to see more businesses choosing to locate and grow here. We remain committed to finding new ways to make Huntingdon County an attractive place for economic development.”.

SAP&DC authored the successful grant proposal and helped coordinate key partnerships between HCBI, Huntingdon County, and local municipalities.

September 11 National Memorial Trail – Garrett Area Improvements Project – Somerset County

Total Investment: $1,860,638 | ARC Funding: $930,319

In Somerset County, ARC has awarded $930,319 for the development of 1,500 linear feet of new trail that will connect the 9/11 National Memorial Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail in the Garrett area. This long-anticipated project will:

• Attract 2,100 additional visitors annually
• Support three new local businesses
• Expand Garrett’s role in the regional trail economy

SAP&DC facilitated the grant application and played a critical role in advancing this priority from concept to reality, as outlined in the 2024 Alleghenies Outdoors report and a recent DCNR-funded trail alignment study.

“The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance is excited to work in collaboration with Somerset County to develop the 911 Trail,” said Jeffrey McCauley, President of the September 11^th National Memorial Trail Alliance. “This ARC grant award is a great example of how the Alliance and the County can collaborate to achieve large goals.”.

“These two projects are significant,” said Lee Slusser, Director, Planning and Community Development Division. Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. “A new signalized entrance will help Riverview Business Center businesses create up to 250 new jobs. Meanwhile, the 9/11 Trail project will draw new tourism spending across every community it touches. These awards were only possible thanks to the collaboration of County Commissioners, municipalities, applicants, and the SAP&DC staff. We can’t thank them enough.”

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Region Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

About Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC)
The Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission (SAP&DC) is a nonprofit regional economic and community development organization dedicated to fostering growth and improving the quality of life for residents across Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Through technical expertise, strategic partnerships and forward-thinking investment, SAP&DC helps build a resilient and thriving Southern Alleghenies region.

For more information, visit www.sapdc.net.

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