A nonprofit program addressing economic development in towns along the Great Allegheny Passage and other bicycle trails announced Tuesday it has been approved for a $140,000 federal grant.
The Progress Fund Stories
Great Allegheny Passage providing unique business opportunities
Businesses along the Great Allegheny Passage have benefitted from an increase in trail riders planning a multiple-day trip, up from 23 percent in 2011 to 57 percent last year, according to a survey of 560 users of the Great Allegheny Passage. The survey was conducted from July to October 2014 in West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Rockwood, Meyersdale and three trail towns in Allegheny County, as well as two in Maryland.
Owners of Terra Nova House B&B to Receive Tourism Award
Ryan and Molly Mercer will be honored by VisitMercerCountyPA, the tourism promotion agency, at its annual dinner June 25 at Grove City Country Club. The Mercers are recipients of the James E. Winner Jr. Tourism Initiative Award.
New business promotes flatwater boating
The calm waters of the Youghiogheny River at West Newton will be the site of a flatwater race paddling clinic on Saturday and Sunday. The clinic is expected to draw about 20 kayakers from the region, Ohio and West Virginia, said Hansel Lucas of Buddtown, sponsor of the clinic and co-owner of Performance Kayak Inc., a home-based shop selling kayaks, surf skis and gear he operates with his wife, Kim.
Trail provides positive economic impact to West Newton area
Mary Lou Rendulic does not need a study to tell her about the economic value of the Great Allegheny Passage, the popular 150-mile recreational trail that cuts through West Newton as it connects Pittsburgh with Cumberland, Md. “We’re finding that we are renting more and more rooms per season,” said Rendulic, who operates Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast, The Annex Inn and the new Willow Springs Inn along Jefferson Court, just off the Great Allegheny Passage.
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One of Pittsburgh’s most up-and-coming chefs, Chad Townsend, has been making “crazy good ice cream” for years. Last summer, he and his wife, Lauren, started making homemade ice cream full time in their Wilkinsburg home. Up until now, Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, was only available through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and on occasional Saturdays at select farmers markets. This will soon change when Chad and Lauren open their own processing facility in North Point Breeze, where they’ll utilize local dairy and eggs to create the freshest ice cream you’ve ever tasted.
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