Baileys update at Commissioner meeting creates more finance questions

Rural Action has been one of the largest partners in the project, and is the leader for the almost $1.3 million Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant awarded in October. About $250,000 of that grant will be going to regional trail construction, including the Baileys. The Wayne National Forest Service has been leading the Baileys work in conjunction with that funding.

Rural Action has been providing a great deal of guidance and training to area residents, helping them learn how to make the most of their business ventures and capitalize on the projected tourism.

The hope is that the 88-mile world-class trail system will draw trail riders from around the country to spend time in Athens County, at a rate of hundreds of thousands per year.