New Hampton’s Tribe Trail Scores $75,000 Grant, Looking for More

The path to finishing the TRIBE Trail in New Hampton is getting shorter thanks to a recent state grant along with private donations and pledges.

In October, the TRIBE Trail was awarded a $75,000 REAP grant, which combined with donations and pledges, puts the project less than $150,000 away from the estimated $590,000 price tag to construct the final leg of the trail. 

While the REAP grant does not require local matching funds, Mayor Bobby Schwickerath says many other grants do.

In April, the City itself matched a funding challenge from an anonymous donor who promised $100,000 with the stipulation the City kick in another $200,000, which the City did with ARPA funds. 

Megan Baltes with the TRIBE Trail committee says they continue to seek additional grants for Phase 3 of the project that will connect the trail from Linn Avenue on the south side of New Hampton with the Chickasaw Wellness Center on the west side of town.