This week, Burke River Trail Association helped connect local leadership with federal resources in a meaningful way.
Ted Budd’s office, represented by Kye Laughter, joined Beth Heile for a series of visits across five Burke River Trail Towns: Drexel, Glen Alpine, Hildebran, Rutherford College, and Rhodhiss.
Local Voices, Shared Priorities
At each stop, town leaders had the opportunity to share:
- What’s working in their communities
- Projects currently underway
- Where additional support is needed
- How federal resources can better serve rural North Carolina
While each town has its own story, common themes quickly emerged:
- Revitalizing and reinvesting in downtowns
- Navigating U.S. Postal Service route challenges
- Coordinating with rail infrastructure and opportunities (including passenger rail and rail ROW)
- Positioning sites—like Drexel’s industrial property—for future development
Connecting Towns to Federal Tools
A key takeaway from the visit was understanding how Senator Budd’s office can support local efforts.
Kye Laughter shared that the office can:
- Utilize the Congressional Research Service to help identify applicable federal grants
- Provide letters of support or consideration for grant applications
- Assist constituents with services such as:
- IRS issue resolution
- Passport processing
- Military academy nominations
For small towns with limited staff capacity, this type of support can be a critical bridge between ideas and implementation.
Building Momentum Through Connection
These visits reflect the core of the Burke River Trail approach—bringing partners together, listening, and identifying opportunities that strengthen communities.
When local leadership, regional advocates, and federal resources align, it creates a clearer path forward for Burke County’s trail towns—not just for recreation, but for economic development, infrastructure, and long-term growth.
