August 8, 2008
For Immediate Release:

Mountain Goat Trail Alliance Earns Nonprofit Status

The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance is  a non-profit organization whose purpose is to create and develop the Mountain Goat Trail connecting Cowan, Sewanee, Monteagle, Tracy City and Palmer, Tennessee along the old rail road bed connecting these communities.  The railroad existed from 1852 to 1985 and helped start the University of the South in Sewanee and found the communities on the mountain.

The Alliance is pleased to report this month that the IRS has granted the Alliance its 501(c)3 status thereby allowing it to be registered as a charitable organization.  This news is coupled with the allowance by the State of Tennessee to solicit funds for the construction of the trail.  Funds donated to the Alliance are fully deductible for tax purposes by the donor.

"Everyone on the Alliance board is thrilled to see this major step.  We can now begin a much more concerted effort to raise the funds necessary to create this trail" said MGTA Treasurer Gray Campbell, "One hundred percent of all funds raised will go into making this trail a reality."  Campbell continued, "My great grandfather, M.R. Campbell from Tullahoma, TN was a conductor on this train during the Civil War.  I, along with many other, want to see this trail completed."

This Rails-to-Trails project has grown considerably over the past 3 years.  The Alliance has also secured a Tennessee Department of transportaion grant for assisting with the construction although much more funding is needed.

Tax deductible donations to this worthy cause may be sent to:

Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
P.O. Box 968
Monteagle, TN.  37356

August 29, 2006
For immediate release:

Monteagle Awarded TDOT Enhancement Grant for Mountain Goat Trail; MGTA to Raise Matching Funds

Contact:
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
Monteagle Chamber of Commerce
931.924.5353

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced that the City of Monteagle is the recipient of a 2006 Tennessee Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant of $582,560 to create a paved pedestrian and biking trail along the original Mountain Goat Rail Line. Thanks to the efforts of Representative Bill Harmon, Phase III will extend the multi-use trail from St. Andrew’s - Sewanee School to the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. The next phase of the trail will extend to Tracy City.

"The history of the rail line is an important part of the history of most of the families in Grundy County and their livelihoods for many years," said Governor Bredesen. "I’m proud the State of Tennessee can make investments like this one that will enhance the community and help preserve the fond memories of so many."

"The extension of the trail will have a tremendous impact on the local community and economy," stated Representative Bill Harmon. "It’s exciting to watch the progress of this project and I’m happy I was able to assist in bringing this grant to Monteagle."

The federal program has several stipulations: the money is available for trail construction only and cannot be used for land acquisition. The grant covers only 80% of the projected expenses for the trail, and so local supporters are expected to contribute $145,640 to the project.  The grant is also set up as a reimbursement grant, which means that TDOT will only pay out money to cover funds already spent.  Environmental studies must be performed.

The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance (MGTA) has been formed to assist the City of Monteagle and the Monteagle Chamber of Commerce with the many tasks that must be accomplished before the federal funding is released.  Among those tasks is the fundraising needed for the 20% local matching portion.  Also important to the project is obtaining permission and legal easements for the trailway from the many landowners of all the sections of the old rail bed for the trailway.

“We’re happy to have the MGTA assist the City with the grant qualifications,” says Mayor Charles Rollins, “and especially to have them raise the funds needed to match the grant.”

The MGTA Board is led by President David Burnett and includes Kelly Foutch, Lexy Orr, John Baggenstoss, Clayton Rogers, Gray Campbell and April Alvarez. Scott May is providing pro bono assistance with preliminary legalities. MGTA wishes to thank the many other community members who provided letters of support for the grant.

The effort to reclaim this historic rail bed for a waking and biking trail is in cooperation with an organized group of citizens of the Monteagle Chamber of Commerce, Town of Monteagle, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, The Friends of the South Cumberland, The Alliance for The Cumberlands, Tennessee Parks and Greenways, Tennessee Trails Association, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.  The Monteagle Chamber of Commerce has already provided a $2000 grant for funding promotion for the project. Plans for this phase of the trail were laid during marketing meetings of the Monteagle Chamber of Commerce. Assistance in preparing the grants was provided by the TVA and the SE Tennessee Development District.

For some time the Friends of the South Cumberland had made parallel efforts to research the trailway, find funding for the project, and move forward in acquiring land for trail construction.  As it pertains to the Friends, their charter states to enhance the South Cumberland State Park, which includes the Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf, and a 200 acre segment of property on the trail known as the Hawkins Cove State Natural Area located between the trail and the Cowan highway.  This area holds some rare and endangered floral species on the mountain.  On Saturday August 26, The Friends made a donation of $1000 and extended the time to allow the MGTA to piggyback the relationship to enable donors to make tax exempt gifts to the Friends for benefit of the MGTA until the MGTA is approved for tax exempt status. The Friends will be accepting donations on behalf of the MGTA until its tax-exempt status has be finalized and will continue to pass along any gifts that are designated for the MGTA.

Also, community members in Tracy City and in Monteagle were researching the Mountain Goat Trail and making additional grant applications. The common goal of creating a trail for economic development, community enhancement and recreational opportunities led to the formation of the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance.

Monteagle Mountain has long been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The Mountain Goat Trail will eventually link communities, schools including Monteagle Elementary, Sewanee Elementary, and Tracy City Elementary, St. Andrew’s – Sewanee School and the University of the South, shopping districts, recreation areas such as the South Cumberland State Park and Fiery Gizzard, historic sites, and natural tourist areas. The Trail will benefit citizens of all ages. Trail construction in similar communities in Damascus, Virginia and Hattiesburg, Mississippi have been created positive economic development with increased tourism and are a point of pride for local citizens.

The Mountain Goat Railroad was constructed in 1853 as a rail spur from the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad.  The line was used to transport coal from coalmines in Tracy City  through Monteagle and Sewanee and down to Cowan.   The coalmining period of the rail line is an important part of the history of many families in Grundy County. The use of the railroad spur was discontinued in 1985 when the tracks were removed. 

The MGTA will be accepting donations on behalf of the City of Monteagle for the Trail Match. Donations can be sent to MGTA, POB 968, Monteagle, TN, 37356.

For more information and updates, please check the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance website at www.mountaingoattrail.org or call the Monteagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 931.924.5353.

See also: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/news/2006/grundy.htm for press release from TDOT with image.