UMVRDC Helps Granite Falls Secure Funding from National Scenic Byways Program

The City of Granite Falls will receive $512,000 in Federal funding from the National Scenic Byway Program (NSBP) to rehabilitate their historic pedestrian bridge as a result of assistance from the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC).

Granite Falls contracted with the UMVRDC for grant writing assistance to aid with the development of the funding application. UMVRDC staff Kristi Fernholz, Senior Planner, and Lindsey Knutson, Transportation Planner, authored and submitted the grant on behalf of the City of Granite Falls to the National Scenic Byways Program. “It’s a great project and perfect fit for the National Scenic Byways Program” says Lindsey.
The National Scenic Byway Program funds will cover half of the costs to rehabilitate the historic Granite Falls pedestrian suspension bridge to provide key safety upgrades, including raising it to protect it from future flood events, extending the hand rails to meet current safety requirements, and replacing the lighting. The other half of the project costs will come from the State Bonding dollars Granite Falls received in 2010.
The National Scenic Byways Program is federal program that recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities. Program funding supports projects that manage and protect these roads and improve visitor facilities.
During this last round of funding, the program received 261 applications nationwide that totaled over $111 million in funding requests for projects. Nationwide, only 125 applications were funded at a total of $37,054,987. In Minnesota, six applications were funded totaling $2,023,850.
Click here to view the full list of funded projects throughout the country.
Click here for more information on the National Scenic Byways Program.
For information about the UMVRDC’s grant writing services, contact Lindsey Knutson, UMVRDC Transportation Planner, at lindsey.knutson@umvrdc.org or call 320-289-1981 ext. 7.