Grant Fosters Trail-Related Jobs In Western Md.

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- A $100,000 federal grant is helping to create jobs along the western Maryland section of a Pittsburgh-to-Washington bicycling route.

Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski announced the award Monday from the Appalachian Regional Commission to the Maryland Trail Town Program. The program is run by the nonprofit Progress Fund of Greensburg, Pa.

The Maryland Democrats say a variety of private foundations will provide $100,000 in matching funds. They say the money will support the start-up or expansion of at least 10 businesses in Cumberland and Frostburg.

The businesses will serve users of the Great Allegheny Passage, which runs from near Pittsburgh to downtown Cumberland. The trail connects in Cumberland to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)