Prospector picks up $150,000 federal trail grant

The Prospector ATV project picked up another grant, this time through a federal program.
The Recreational Trail Program provides grants using federal monies through state agencies such as the Minnesota DNR.
This is the second time the Prospector project will benefit from an RTP grant.
“We knock on a lot of doors to get funding and this is the second time federal RTP dollars will be used for construction work,” said Prospector trail administrator Ron Potter.
The first phase of the Prospector Loop is nearing completion with around 250 miles of trail connecting the communities of Ely, Babbitt, Embarrass and Tower to the North Shore Trail System.
“After eight years it would be nice to kick back and enjoy what we’ve done so far but we’re full steam ahead on phase two with four trail connections and a bridge over the Beaver River,” said Prospector president Nick Wognum.
The $150,000 grant will be used on the Beaver River project. The four connections include Babbitt to Hoyt Lakes, the Cloquet Line to the Echo Trail, Tower to the Pfeiffer Lake Campground and the Taconite Trail to Mud Creek and Wolf Lake roads.
“We’re also applying for IRRRB and LCCMR funding,” said Potter.