The casino-enriched Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is offering $350,000 toward trail improvements in Scott County.
Charitable groups, as well as cities and townships, are free to step forward with suggestions, tribal officials said, though governments also must be involved.
The maximum for any one project is $100,000, and there's a 20 percent match, though it can be in-kind as well as cash.
"Applicants whose projects fill trail gaps, augment existing trail systems, improve access to existing public natural areas, or provide additional environmental benefit beyond simple access will be given preference," the tribe's announcement said.
An online application is at http://shakopeedakota.org/trailsgrant.html. The deadline to apply is Dec. 6, and recipients will be announced Jan. 6.
It's not the first time the tribe has offered grants to Scott County communities. A year ago, it announced $150,000 grants to each city and the county government.
David Peterson
dapeterson@startribune.com
