The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is being asked to seek a $4 million grant to construct a trail between Buchanan and Niles.
Speaking to commissioners Thursday, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Marcy Hamilton said she’s gotten word the project qualifies for support from the governor’s Office of Infrastructure.
“Making this connection between these two great trails has been a priority for a long time,” Hamilton said. “When the MIO office, their consultants said, ‘Yes, we’ve looked at this project,’ they have to do a cost-benefit analysis, and it scored very well and high because of safety reasons.”
Hamilton said the $4 million Raise Grant the county is being asked to apply for would not require any local match, and County Administrator Brian Dissette noted if the county seeks the grant, it will be with an agreement in place for the affected townships to maintain the trail, and not the county. He said this is a good deal.
“It’s pretty remarkable to be able to go after $4 million bucks with no local match, and that’s exactly what’s being pursued here,” Dissette said.
Hamilton said this trail will go along Walton Road, from River St. Joe Brewery in Buchanan to Winn Road outside of Niles. A federal grant secured by Congressman Tim Walberg will pay for the project’s engineering.
The county commission will consider a resolution to apply for the state grant next week. Construction could begin in the spring of 2026.
