With more than $300,000 in Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) grant money to divvy up, local municipalities have their work cut out for them.
Salmo (combined with Area G), took care of matters on Monday, when, for a sixth year, “Dot Night” was hosted in its community centre.
That night, 393 voters from both areas, attended the event to listen to presentations from 32 organizations, who pitched project ideas aimed to enhance the community,
At the door, with proof of residency, each person was allotted five dots, with each dot being worth $32.
After listening to the scope of proposals, the outcome was up to the residents, whom assigned one or more dots to which ever project they felt deserving of the funds.
More than $62,000 was assigned to 26 organizations.
Salmo and Area Seniors Supportive Housing Society received the most funds, $5,925; followed by the Salmo and District Health Authority with $4,999, which will be used to replace its thrift shop flooring.
In a trial project, Fruitvale, Montrose and Area A combined forces on Wednesday, when a six-member committee assembled at the Montrose hall to listen to seven presenters; each making a pitch for funding that could benefit the three combined jurisdictions.
“This year, we are trying something different,” said Larry Gray, Regional District chair and committee member.
Gray explained that in the past, there have been various organizations who apply for funding to more than one municipality, which created problems with time and coordination of meetings.
“So this year, in one evening, those groups had the opportunity to make only one presentation.”
This year, the combined area of Fruitvale, Montrose and Area A have just over $90,000 to divide; Rossland, $46,000; Trail, $101,853; Warfield and Area B, just over $30,000 each.
Gray said that each municipality has its own process for dividing up the CBT grant money, but the final authority is the regional district.
At the end of April, the East End Services will meet and green-light the decisions that each municipality has made.
The meetings of project applicants for what is officially called the CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs, are open to the public.
Visit rdkb.com for the schedule.