FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Day, Mid-Minnesota Development Commission
Phone: (320) 235-8504
Email: [email protected]
MMDC’s AARP Grant Funds New Micro-Mobility Option for Area Community
May 2023:. Mid-Minnesota Development Commission (MMDC) recently delivered a new vehicle to the Traditions apartment complex (formally known as Fairview Place), in Olivia. It wasn’t a car, van, SUV, or pickup truck. Rather, it was a fat-tire, electric assist tricycle, large enough to comfortably accommodate two adults, one operator and one rider. This donation, made possible with generous AARP Community Challenge Grant funding, will give Traditions residents another way to get around town. MMDC received the AARP Community Challenge grant in 2022 to improve mobility and increase community participation, especially among seniors.
“Our goal is to help older community members, and others, to get around so they can fully-participate in community life. This includes helping those who don’t drive a car at all as well as those who prefer not to drive a car every time,” said MMDC Mobility Manager Terry Smith. “This trike is next-level and we hope it’ll be the first of many in our region’s communities.”
While based on a traditional rickshaw, Traditions’ new trike features large tires, otherwise known as “fat tires,” for a smooth ride and good traction. It also incorporates electric assist to ease use and avoid operator fatigue, as well as plenty of capacity to carry another person and/or miscellaneous items like grocery bags, library books, or other packages. “All we can say is wow!”, said Traditions Ambassador Sara Maher. “Traditions’ residents would like to thank the partners that made this happen: Mid-Minnesota Development Commission and [the] AARP Community Challenge grantors.”
MMDC works to reduce transportation gaps throughout their four county (Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, and Renville) region, through a Minnesota Department of Transportation Regional Transportation Coordinating Council (RTCC) grant. Work includes improving coordination between transportation and other service providers, professional and volunteer driver recruitment, public education, and more. For more information, contact MMDC Mobility Manager Terry Smith at (320) 235-8504 or [email protected].