|  In
January, Polaris Industries proudly announced the launch of the
‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ grant program for ATV clubs, associations
and grassroots groups. The program makes funds available to national,
state and local organizations in the United States to ensure the
future of ATV riding.
T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for:
- T = Trail Development
- R = Responsible Riding
- A = Access
- I = Initiatives
- L = Lobbying
- S = Safety
The grant program encompasses two main objectives – promoting
safe and responsible riding, and preserving access. Funds can
be used by organizations for trail development and maintenance
projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying and other
projects to increase or maintain land access.
“Polaris is committed to promoting safe and responsible
recreational riding,” said Bennett Morgan, president and
chief operating officer of Polaris. “We see the issue of
trails and land access as the lifeblood of our ATV business and
the ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ grant program is one measure to
ensure people always will have a place to ride.”
In April, Polaris announced the first round of ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’
grant recipients, with grants totaling $269,267. The company issued
grants to 34 organizations in 20 states ranging from $2,000 to
the maximum $10,000. The grants will be applied toward projects
including safety and education, trail mapping and marking, OHV
park and forest service enhancement and trail development, youth
safety events and lobbying efforts.
“We’re really pleased with the response from ATV
clubs and organizations in this first round,” said Morgan.
“We received an application from an ATV club in virtually
every state. That’s phenomenal because together we grow
the sport we love.”
The first T.R.A.I.L.S. grant recipients are as follows:
Local Organizations
- North Alabama Trail Riders Association
- Cheaha Trail Riders (Alabama)
- Moto-Trax (Arizona)
- Thunder Mountain Wheelers ATV Club (Colorado)
- New England Trail Rider Association (Connecticut)
- Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV Club Inc. (Kentucky)
- Western Massachusetts ATV Association
- Topsham Trail Riders ATV/Snowmobile Club (Maine)
- Drummond Island Off-Road Club (Michigan)
- Manistee County ATV Association (Michigan)
- Ranger Snowmobile/ATV Club (Minnesota)
- City of Shakopee (Minnesota)
- Blind Lake ATV (Minnesota)
- Flat Rock Riders Club (Nebraska)
- Oswego County ATV Club Inc. (New York)
- Upstate ATV Association Inc. (New York)
- Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (Pennsylvania)
- Indian Creek Valley ATV Club Inc. (Pennsylvania)
- Greater Johnstown/Cambria Cty. Foundation (Pennsylvania)
- Cle Elum Ranger District, Wenatchee Ntl. Forest (Washington)
- Tri-County Trailblazers ATV Club (Wisconsin)
- Dusty Trails ATV Club of Oconto County, Inc. (Wisconsin)
State Organizations
- AZ Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
- Friends of Florida State Forests, Inc.
- ATV Association of Minnesota (ATVAM)
- Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
- North Carolina Motorcycle Dealers Association
- Ohio Multi-Use Trails Association
- Utah/Arizona ATV Club
- Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association Inc.
- Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA/NOHVIS)
- National Organizations
- Blue Ribbon Coalition
- Tread Lightly!
- NOHVCC (National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council)
 Grant applications will be reviewed three times per year -- in
April, August and November, with corresponding submission deadlines
of March 1, July 1 and October 1. Organizations may apply for
two grants per year and all organizations must be 501c3, 501c7,
or any non-profit organizations. Funding for any project from
other sources is an important criteria in order to be considered
for a T.R.A.I.L.S. grant.
For more information on the ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ grant program
and an application form, visit the Polaris Web site at www.polarisindustries.com
and click on “Riders” and “Right to Ride.”
About Polaris
With annual 2005 sales of $1.9 billion, Polaris designs, engineers,
manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),
Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and
utility use.
Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and
one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory
motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new
American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years,
are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser
marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with
a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts,
available at Polaris dealerships.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange
and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and
the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price
index.
Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel
and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers
or
anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
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