Minnesota
shooting clubs that would like to develop or rehabilitate trap-shooting
facilities open for public use can apply for funds through a new
Department of Natural Resources grant program.
The Minnesota
Legislature authorized more than $2 million for matching grants to
recreational shooting clubs for developing or rehabilitating trap
shooting sports facilities for public use, with an emphasis on enhancing
youth participation opportunities. As part of that program, the DNR
created an expedited small trap range grants program to provide grants
from $2,500 to $25,000 for eligible projects, which must be matched 1:1
up to a total project cost of $50,000. A general grant program for
larger projects will be announced later this year.
Applications
for the expedited small grants program are now open at the link listed
below. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Those
selected for funding will be notified in September.
“This new
program aims to increase opportunities for youth trap shooters, youth
trap teams and adult shooters,” said Chuck Niska, DNR shooting range
program coordinator. “Ideally we’d like to see many applications
submitted this summer, range work completed this fall and expanded
opportunities around the state next spring.”
The development of
the program follows a significant rise in youth trap shooting,
especially by high school students who are part of a statewide league.
“Existing
trap ranges sometimes struggle to meet demand,” Niska said. “Our hope
is that these grants will enable facilities to add additional trap
fields, upgrade equipment or make other improvements that enable more
people to participate in this popular activity.”
Each grant recipient is required to equally match the amount of funds the DNR awards them.
A
total of $500,000 is available for this first phase of the grants. In
the near future, the DNR will announce details of the general grant
program for larger trap shooting facility projects exceeding $50,000.
Grant application packets are available at www.mndnr.gov/grants/recreation.
