Grant prospect is for more than just housing

Although the focus of the proposed Missouri Gulch housing project has been, appropriately, housing, there is another aspect to the grant that could mean some major upgrades.

The Transformative Climate Community grant, which will be submitted by the county, is for a total amount of $27.5 million. However, should the county get the award, around $19 million would go toward the housing project.

The remaining $8.5 million would be used for other projects in the pipeline in the county, according to Will Fassett, the planner who has been spearheading the effort.

One of those would be to have a car rental program. A national company would bring eight cars into the county available for rent. Three of those would be located at the housing project while five would be at the park and ride.

The cars would be available to rent for various lengths of time, from a few hours to a day or longer. They would be EVs or hybrid vehicles and available to the public.

Another major upgrade would be for expansion of the trailhead for the Stockton Creek Preserve.

Currently, there is limited parking available at the trailhead, which is located behind Mariposa County High School. The grant would provide funding for two parking sites near the trailhead.

Another aspect of the grant would be upgrading the YARTS stops in Mariposa. That would include covers for the stops as well as digital boards indicating bus information.

Another project is through the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation and its food program. Currently, the tribe has a program where food is grown and members are taught how to take care of a garden and then process the food.

The grant funding would expand on that program, said Fassett.

Another piece of the grant would go toward workforce development through Mother Lode Job Training.

Fassett said part of the grant requires two full-time people to be hired for the entire six years of the grant cycle and they would be part of developing and upgrading these projects.

He added the exact amounts required are still being determined and would be finalized once the grant is awarded.