BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Trolley Project is one step closer to reality.
Gaston County donated $100,000 in tourism funds to the project, with the approval of the Gaston County Tourism Advisory Board and the unanimous agreement of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.
With the contribution, the Belmont Trolley has secured nearly $2 million in funding. Now, it can begin the first phase of the Belmont Trolley Station. The funds are raised through occupancy taxes, not the county's general fund.
"The Belmont Trolley project has the potential to further invigorate Belmont’s growing downtown, making that area one of the hubs for small business success in Gaston County,” Michael Applegate, the parks, recreation and tourism director, said. “We are excited for the future of this project and believe this investment of tourism revenue back into our local economy will pay off exponentially in the future.”
Once it's finished, the downtown station will house three trolleys as well as a museum for local rail history.