Wheatland County council unanimously approved to provide nearly half a million dollars in funding support to 43 projects through the Community Enhancement Reserve during the regular Tuesday, May 17 council meeting.
The Wheatland Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB) received a total of 46 applications from various non-profit organizations throughout the county, primarily focusing on operating funding support.
“This program began in 2012-10 years ago-and to date has contributed $4,476,835.55 for the enhancement and betterment of Wheatland County,” CERB Chairperson Marcy Field explained during the meeting.
Ms. Field noted CERB board members met twice via Zoom in March and April to review the applications. The total funding request of these applications came to $547,803.
It was recommended that Wheatland County council approve 43 of the applications, amounting to $495,469.46, and decline three applications.
Division 1 Councillor Shannon Laprise questioned why some of the applications, such as the Hussar and District Agricultural Society which had requested a total of $100,000 in grant funding, were significantly higher than others.
Ms. Field explained some funding requests were calculated on projected operation costs for the year based on current expenses. Actual costs are required to be submitted at the end of the year and, if there are any discrepancies, any remaining grant funding must be returned.
Council unanimously approved the request to support the recommended 43 applications.
