Three area schools are among the recipients of $250,000 in Safe Routes to School grants that support walking and biking programs at K-12 schools in the state, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced.
Those schools are the Pine River-Backus School District, Rippleside Elementary in Aitkin and Hill City School, Hill City.
Overall, mini-grants totaling $125,000 will support the Safe Routes to School program at 64 schools, reaching nearly 40,000 students. An additional $125,000 will fund bicycle fleets, trailers and supplies in four communities committed to working with 37 schools to teach bicycle safety.
Since 2005, MnDOT has awarded nearly $20 million in federal funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School. The majority of funding was for infrastructure projects.
In 2013, Gov. Mark Dayton and the legislature authorized $500,000 in general funds for Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure activities over the biennium.
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In January, Dayton proposed an additional $5 million investment over the next two years to continue to support biking and walking infrastructure and Safe Routes to School programs.
This year, schools received non-infrastructure grants in two categories:
• Mini grants: These grants of up to $2,500 can be used for crossing guard supplies, bicycle maintenance equipment and incentives for walking and biking.
• Bicycle fleets and trailers: Grants can be used to purchase a fleet of bicycles and trailer and supplies.
In October 2014, MnDOT announced the available grants. The agency received 85 applications requesting about $538,000; it funded 68 grants. A $1 million infrastructure solicitation was also announced in October. Those state-funded awards will be announced in March.
