North Central Greenways Implementation Grant

The North Central Greenways Implementation Grant (NCGIG) is administered by the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The grant is intended to implement projects that align with the North Central Regional Greenways and Active Transportation Plan, focusing on enhancing greenways, trails, and active transportation networks across six counties: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. Funding for this program comes from DCNR through the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF) and the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund (KRPCF), with the latter reserved exclusively for local government projects. The program supports three main types of projects: Developmental, Planning, and Technical Assistance. Developmental projects may include trail and park development, streambank stabilization, and ecological restoration efforts. Planning projects are geared toward feasibility studies and implementation strategies for greenway and water quality improvements. Technical Assistance projects involve outreach and education related to conservation, trail use, and water quality. All projects must be aligned with the goals outlined in the North Central Greenways and Active Transportation Plan to be considered for funding. Eligible applicants include local governments, councils of governments (COGs), conservation districts, housing or redevelopment authorities, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and conservancies located within the six eligible counties. Applications must include a scope of work that explains alignment with regional planning goals, budget details, timeline, key deliverables, and match contributions. Additionally, applicants must submit letters of cash or in-kind match commitment and a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) review to assess impacts on endangered species or sensitive habitats. The maximum grant request is $25,000, with a mandatory one-to-one match, bringing the maximum total project budget to $50,000. Funds are awarded on a cost-reimbursement basis, with the option to request 50% of the DCNR award as working capital to begin the project. A second disbursement of 40% can be requested mid-project, and the final 10% is issued upon completion and approval of final documentation and inspection. All awarded projects must acknowledge DCNR funding—either through signage or material inclusion, depending on the project type. Applications are due by November 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. They can be submitted via email or mail to Jenna Cramer at North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission. A multi-agency review committee comprised of representatives from DCNR, the Commission, and county planning departments will evaluate the applications based on a 60-point scoring rubric. Key evaluation criteria include applicant eligibility, project alignment with regional goals, clarity of project scope, budget, timeline, and community impact. Contact for technical assistance and eligibility verification is Jenna Cramer, reachable at jcramer@ncentral.com or 814-773-3162 x3042. Additional support is available from DCNR regional advisors Wes Fahringer (serving Cameron and Potter Counties) and Adam Mattis (serving Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and McKean Counties). Notifications of award decisions are expected by December 31, 2025. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project ideas with North Central staff before applying to ensure eligibility and alignment.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact North Central staff before applying to verify project eligibility.