New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy gets boost
New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy is getting another boost from the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division.
The division awarded $1,611,743 for 12 projects, plus an additional $1,567,237 in matching funding as part of the round 3 awards, according to a state news release. Seventy-five percent of the grants are intended to support rural and tribal communities. The grants range from $38,700 to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance to $500,000 to the city of Las Cruces.
Outdoor Recreation Trails + Grants are awarded in two tiers with up to $99,999 going to local projects and up to $500,000 going to regional projects. A complete grant program guide is available at nmoutside.com.
“We are thrilled to support these 12 new projects that foster connections between residents and visitors in the great outdoors,” Karina Armijo, Outdoor Recreation Division director, said in the news release. “ORD remains steadfast in elevating awareness of the Trails+ Grant program, ensuring its significant funding bolsters outdoor recreation accessibility and fuels economic growth across all corners of New Mexico.”
The city of Albuquerque’s parks and recreation department received $130,000 to expand and improve its disc golf facilities, which include building a new 20-hole championship disc golf course at Puerto del Sol Golf Course and installing a new 12-hole disc golf course at Westgate Park.
Albuquerque’s Keshet Dance Company received $99,000 for the creation of an outdoor classroom and performance space at the Keshet Center for the Arts.
“Keshet Dance Company is thrilled to be a recipient of the Trails+ Grant to support the creation of an outdoor classroom and performance space at the Keshet Center for the Arts in the heart of the Midtown Arts and Entertainment District, located at a main artery access point for the Embudo Channel Trail,” Shira Greenberg, Keshet founder and artistic director, said in the news release. “Keshet’s work over the past three decades using dance as a catalyst for community connectivity will be truly enhanced by this project, bringing the arts, artists and audiences into accessible outdoor spaces for learning and engagement within an urban setting.”
The Sandia Nordic Ski Club Inc., in Bernalillo County, received $38,677, to construct and maintain cross-country ski trails at the top of the Sandia Mountains and provide crosscountry ski instruction to the public free of charge.
A popular event held in Cibola County was awarded $90,000. Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon will use the funding to purchase a new snowcat that will groom the snow routes to create extended access to the greater Mt. Taylor winter recreation area.
In McKinley County, the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary will use its award of $50,000, for improvements, including the construction of RV hookups,
yurts and other basic amenities that expand camping access to guests with RVs and without tents at the sanctuary.
Fiscal year 2024 funding is available for Outdoor Recreation Trails + Grant projects. The Outdoor Recreation Division encourages organizations and communities to apply for round 5 by May 31. The call for application submissions for round 4 ended on March 31.
The grant program was created by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and lawmakers as a way to support projects that enhance recreation in communities that include improvements to trail systems, signage, outdoor classrooms and wildlife viewing areas.
“Since the establishment of Trails+, a total of $13,243,478 has been awarded to 134 projects in 26 counties across the state,” Mark Roper, acting EDD cabinet secretary, said in the news release. “Trails+ exemplifies what can be achieved with our state’s visionary investment in the outdoor recreation economy and the power behind collaborative partnerships tied to each funded project. Together, we are strengthening our state and enhancing access to New Mexico’s exquisite outdoors.”