Building an outdoor recreation economy in the
Genesee Valley.

In 2020 LGV and its network of partners were awarded funding from USDA Rural Development and the Northern Border Regional Commission to launch a Trail Town initiative in 10 communities across the rural Genesee Valley Region in 2021-2022.

Trail Town Programs® revitalize rural communities by growing outdoor tourism and small businesses. First launched in 2007 by the Progress Fund to help support communities along the 150 mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), the program now helps trails nationwide follow their lead. Using a combination of consistent trail-wide marketing, infrastructure improvements, business coaching and support, Trail Town initiatives have proven to be an effective approach for growing rural economies. In 10 years, the Allegheny Passage Trail Town program was able to grow 65 new businesses and 270 jobs, achieving an overall economic impact of $50 million per year with 40% of local income generated from outdoor recreation (an increase of 25% from when the initiative started).

In 2023 LGV will continue working with municipalities in Southern Monroe, Livingston, Wyoming and Allegany Counties to develop a network of Trail Town hubs along the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park and Genesee River corridor. The project aims to boost outdoor recreation, create more resilient communities and support the region’s post-COVID recovery.

Genesee valley trail town information