by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — The Whitewater Region community services manager is pleased with how the partnership and sponsorship grants were received last year.
“Every once in a while there’s a good news story that comes to the township and this is one of them,” Jordan Durocher told council at its meeting last night.
Last year a partnership and sponsorship grant policy was implemented with $30,000 in the budget. The idea was instead of council deciding which organizations get how much money, organizations were invited to apply for grants up to a maximum of $6,000. There were two intakes – March 1 and September 1. At year’s end, the township had received 29 applications totalling $116,285.
“In our first year we had an overwhelming number of people applying,” Mr. Durocher said. “It was very successful.”
Eighteen community partners received funding totalling $30,000, he said.
Grant funding allows groups to provide programming, special events, do some capital projects, etc., Mr. Durocher said.
In the 2019 budget, staff is looking for the same allocation of $30,000, he said. It will be the same as last year, with 20 percent reserved for the Sept. 1 intake.
According to policy, the first intake will be March 1, even if though it is only three weeks away, Mr. Durocher said. Many groups have already contacted staff regarding the policy, and were told to wait until council decided if this policy was going to be implemented again this year, he said.
Councillor Chris Olmstead explained the background of the policy, noting that instead of the thousands of dollars going towards the arenas, which the township took over, this allows the township to fund various community organizations.
“This is probably the most successful program that we’ve had in my last term,” he said. “I’ve heard from a lot of areas in the community, from people and associations I didn’t even know existed.
“It’s a really good investment in building community support.”
Councillor Neil Nicholson said most organizations are not looking for the maximum amount. He noted the $500 for the smaller clubs and organizations made a huge impact for them.
“This grant can focus on the (small projects), not the huge projects,” he said.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin noted March 1 is only three weeks away. He questioned if that deadline could be extended.
Mr. Durocher noted there are still two intakes, and if the March 1 deadline cannot be met, there is always the Sept. 1 deadline. Community groups have already reached out and have their paperwork ready, he added.
Coun. Nicholson encouraged all council members to reach out to organizations to avail themselves of this program, noting the first deadline is fast approaching.
