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Brevard wins $24.6 million grant to fund Ecusta Trail

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 23, 2023

The city of Brevard received a $24.6 million grant to pay for construction of the Ecusta Trail, one of seven RAISE grants U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced Thursday.

The grant to Brevard was by far the largest of the seven grants for the state totaling $65 million, more than double the next highest award, $12 million to the city of Charlotte. The RAISE program — it stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity — is a discretionary grant program that was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Tillis helped negotiate and pass into law.
“I’m proud to have worked on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is delivering billions of dollars to build and fix North Carolina’s roads, highways and bridges,” the senator said in a statement. “These RAISE grants are a big win for North Carolina, as the transportation projects will enhance the safety and connectivity of transportation systems in communities across the state.”

The Brevard grant will support construction of the 19-mile Hendersonville-to-Brevard greenway and fund the repair or replacement of around 11 former railroad trestles for bicycle and pedestrian use.