In December 2012, the Region sent out a letter to all organizations that have received grants in the past, telling them they are putting the funding on hold until they know their finances. The key component is the taxes for the Bowater properties. Until they are reassessed under provincial ownership, the taxes due is unknown.
Some organizations cannot wait long however, because of grant applications to other government levels. Those applications are due by the end of January.
The Region contacted all organizations to see which were dependent on municipal support to get other support. They were brought forward to council on Jan. 21.
The organizations that got grants were:
Hank Snow Country Music Centre - $1,000
Queens County Fair Association - $6,000
Ukulele Ceilidh - $3,000
Queens County Seafest - $3,000
Privateer Days - $10,000
The Region will be asking for grants to organizations from the wider community at a later date.
"For that amount of money, we get a good bang for our buck," said Coun. Peter Waterman.
The motion for Privateer Days funding was done separately, so Coun. Brain Fralic could declare a conflict of interest and excuse himself from the voting. Fralic is the chair of Privateer Days.
