Elkford council recommends $69.5k in CBT grant funding for 2022

The District of Elkford has recommended $69,551.19 in community grants through a Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) program to be considered by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board in June.

The CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs are meant to “support local projects that provide additional value to Basin communities and that benefit the broad community and public good,” reads a CBT document included in the District of Elkford’s April 4 council agenda.

Program funds are distributed on a yearly basis to CBT’s local government partners, which include the RDEK and therefore the District of Elkford.

There were 17 applications made to the district this year, and presentations from applicants were brought to council on April 4 for consideration. The total amount requested was $92,952.50, with only $69,551.19 available for allocation.

Out of the total available in 2022, $30,865.27 came from unallocated funds from the previous year. In 2021, the total allocated was $15,880.

Thirteen applications were approved for recommendation this year, with four applications being rejected.

Those approved for recommendation were the following: Angel Flight East Kootenay Association ($4,000), Blue Lake Forest Education Society ($740), BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – East Kootenay Branch ($90), East Kootenay Regional Science Fair Society ($140), Elk Valley Critical Incident Response Team ($775), Elkford Biking Club ($35,000), Elkford Chamber of Commerce ($10,600), Elkford Housing Society ($12,840), Elkford Nordic Ski Club ($1,780), Kootenay Livestock Association ($100), Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society ($2,766.19), Southeast Kootenay School District No. 5 – Kootenay-Boundary Environmental Education Initiative ($170), the Canadian Red Cross Society ($550).

The Elkford council rejected funding requests from the Fernie Pets Society, Fernie Pride Society, Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club, and Rockies Rowing Club.

The recommendations were approved at a District of Elkford council meeting on April 11.

According to the CBT document, the RDEK board of directors will be reviewing the funding recommendations and making final decisions on June 10.

@fishynewswatch
josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
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