A busy fall for VVCC grant writers culminated with the award of three grants totaling $83,000 that will go for trail development near Cottonwood and expanding the VVCC’s Youth Program to its eighth public elementary school.
The VVCC collaborated with the Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest in a grant submission by the Forest to the Yavapai Resource Advisory Committee for the Blowout Wash Trail Project. This project is located on the east slope of Mingus Mountain adjacent to West Mingus Ave. southwest of Cottonwood. The VVCC helped with the grant writing and committed $12,000 in funding for the project. On December 17th, the Prescott National Forest announced that this project was selected for $75,000 in recommended funding. "We couldn't have done it without the VVCC's efforts" stated Tom Palmer, East Zone Recreation Program Manager for the Prescott National Forest.
Also on December 17th, the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona (MBAA) selected the VVCC to receive a $1,500 grant in support of the Blow Out Wash Trail Project. “The MBAA grant puts us at $10,000 raised for this project” stated Pam Milavec VVCC Mountain Bike Advocacy Committee Chair. “The MBAA looks to support local trail projects across AZ through money raised via our race series and membership” stated Tim Racette MBAA Executive Director. “We're excited to play a part in these types of projects and help local organizations improve their trails” Racette added. “We have confidence the full $12,000 will be raised by the end of March” Milavec added.
Earlier in December, the VVCC received a $6,500 grant from the Burton Family Foundation to purchase the bikes and safety equipment for its planned after-school mountain bike club at the Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School. “Our Youth Program currently operates eight after-school mountain bike clubs at seven Verde Valley Elementary Schools and we’re thrilled that the Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School plans to join the program in 2020” said Rich Leever, Youth Program Committee Chair for the VVCC.
ABOUT THE YAVAPAI RAC. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act establishes Resource Advisory Committees, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and consisting of fifteen local citizens and three replacement members. The Yavapai RAC’s role is to review and recommend projects for approval that represent different variations of natural resource work in Yavapai County to the Forest Supervisor.
ABOUT THE MBAA. The MBAA promotes, protects and preserves the Arizona mountain biking experience through advocacy, education and responsible, recreational and competitive mountain biking.
ABOUT THE BURTON FAMILY FOUNDATION. The Burton Family Foundation is a supporting organization of the Arizona Community Foundation. Established in 2015, Burton Family Foundation provides support for innovative programs that promote equity and opportunity for underserved students across Arizona.
