SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C – An Exciting Update on the Saluda Grade Rail Trail Project

In a recent development, the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy has revealed that they are under contract to purchase an inactive rail line to make way for a prospective trail. The Saluda Grade Rail Trail, which would involve a 31-mile transformation of rail to trail, is gearing up to reshape the landscape of Spartanburg County, bringing recreational and economic benefits.

The proposed trail would start in the quiet town of Inman in Spartanburg County, meandering through Campobello and Landrum in an illustrative journey that would peak in Saluda, North Carolina. The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy comprises a three-pronged dynamic, composed of Play. Live. Advocate. Live Well. (PAL), Conserving Carolina, and Upstate Forever.

Securing the Purchase Agreement

“We have signed a purchase and sale agreement with Norfolk Southern, the current owner of the rail line,” stated Laura Ringo, the Executive Director of PAL. “We are now on the clock, with 12 months to get through a due diligence process to seal our purchase of the lot. This marks a key milestone in advancing this project. We anticipate that we will own the line within the next 12 months, paving the way to start on design and thinking about the pilot phase of the actual construction.”

Similar in spirit to the two-mile-long Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail in Spartanburg County, the ambitious Saluda Grade Rail Trail aims to be a much longer network.

Proposed Impact of the Rail Trail

Billy Dunlap, Chief Tourism Development Officer with OneSpartanburg, articulated the potential impact of the proposed rail trail. “It’s a tremendous project and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where you get 31 miles of a trail system that not only benefits South Carolina but also extends into North Carolina,” said Dunlap. He praised the scale of the endeavor, stating, “Often, we see trails of smaller size, but nothing on this magnitude.”

OneSpartanburg officials have predicted the potential economic growth that the trail could facilitate, especially in the retail sector. “It will drive retail development, hospitality enhancements with restaurants, breweries, bars,” Dunlap added. “This trail has the potential to be a true destination – not just a place people visit for the day but a place they come to for the weekend. They will use the trail from start to finish, so it has a real chance to impact the area significantly.”

On August 13th, the public was shown results from a year-long engineering and economic impact study at a meeting at the Gramling United Methodist Church near Inman. The findings highlighted the substantial potential of the rail-trail conversion to foster community development, outdoor recreation, and eco-tourism.

Overall, the Saluda Grade Rail Trail project is gaining momentum, promising a significant boon for Spartanburg County and the surrounding areas, augmenting the local landscape with a blend of recreation and dynamism while boosting the local economy.