Holmes Park District receives $5 million in grant funding

Keeping a project as encompassing as the Holmes County Rails-to-Trails project in pristine shape comes with a lot of dedication, work and plenty of cost.

Holmes County has the people in place to do the work, and now the Rails-to-Trails board has the funding in place to continue to make repairs and improvements.

Recently, the organization received more than $5 million in grant funding that will go toward repairs on the trail and keep bikers, buggies and exercise fans rolling along smoothly for years to come.

According to Jeffrey Shaner of the Ohio Department of Transportation, considerable time and effort was spent reviewing each application for its transportation need, costs and benefits to the local community. ODOT found the Holmes County Trail Repair Project from Millersburg to Killbuck perfectly defined what the Transportation Alternative Program grant was designed to support.

Jen Halverson, director of the Holmes County Park District and board member of Holmes County Rails-to-Trails Coalition, said the organization submitted a pair of grant applications, both of which were accepted.

She said the ODOT grant provided 80% of the eligible costs in federal funds through the Transportation Alternatives Program. This year the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows TAP projects to be funded using 80% federal TAP funding matched with 20% federal safety funding. The Holmes County Trail Repair Project, Millersburg to Killbuck has been awarded $882,306 in federal funds.

“The grant funds will go toward refinishing some troublesome areas along the trail that are in need of repair,” Halverson said. “The first project will pick up right where the current repair project ends just north of the Hipp Station Depot. It’s not a whole grind, all 6 miles of trail but rather specific spots and areas that need repair. We will grind stretches and place fresh asphalt and chip and seal.”

The other grant funding will be put toward construction funding on the trail from state Route 520 back into Killbuck. That grant was for $4.2 million.

“That both of these projects were 100% funded was really exciting,” Halverson said.

That was the exciting part. The only downside to the grant funding for the construction is it won’t become available until the state fiscal year 2026.

“That’s the toughest part, the fact that they aren’t going to have it tomorrow,” Halverson said. “We all would love to get started on it right away, but we have to be patient.”

She said that actually is somewhat advantageous because the coalition currently doesn’t have a full set of plans in place anyway, so this will give them time to sort through the many questions, concerns and details of construction to map out the best possible plan.

Halverson said they are very close to seeking funds for the other stretch of construction on the trail from state Route 520 to Glenmont.

“The repair is ongoing,” Halverson said. “We have to submit a repair project almost every year to keep up, and we need to constantly plan ahead.”

Halverson said the Holmes County Rails-to-Trails continues to be a wonderful destination for people outside of Holmes County while also serving as a major thoroughfare for buggies, bikers, walkers and those seeking physical fitness.

“Our trail represents us as a county to people from outside the area, so it is important to keep it looking as nice and clean as possible and to keep the trail in good shape,” Halverson said.

Anyone wishing to donate to Holmes County Rails-to-Trails may do so by calling Halverson at 330-674-3353.