Grant in Aid funding was awarded throughout the City

MERRITT – The Grant In Aid funding was awarded to select participants throughout the City of Merritt.

“Grant In Aid is kind of a city duty,” said Mayor Mike Goetz. “The idea is we give back to the community. That’s what the Grant In Aid is for, it’s to help groups get more money for their cause and we help keep them afloat.”

One of the organizations that was awarded funds was the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, a group that Goetz said he is impresses with how they handle the extra funds.

“What they do is they take our contribution, they times it by three, and that helps them get through their year.”

Another group receiving timely funds is the Merritt Snowmobile Club.

“We have certain things like the Merritt Snowmobile Club, where they wanted the webcam and the C Can up on Honeymoon Mountain and I agree with that a 100%. I mean, this month [January], there have been five people die in accidents. Being an old snowmobiler and having friends who are snowmobilers its nice where they can look at the camera and along with the camera, I’m sure there will be some avalanche information, so it becomes a situation where we can protect the locals while they are recreating,” said Goetz.

City Council also doesn’t have to approve and grant the whole amount the organization is asking for, which was the case for the Merritt Mountain Bike Association.

“We do cut amounts like with the Merritt Mountain Bike Association,” added Goetz. “I walked the whole thing, I talked to one of the directors, and I didn’t really see the need for the $3,000 but there are some things that need to be done in there and I think the $1,500 will cover it completely.”

One of the higher grants handed out was to the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association, for a project that Goetz said is well overdue.

“I’m really excited about what the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association is doing, making that area more accessible with the pavement. Again, $7,500 is a lot of money but that goes back to the fact that the community now, especially those who need it, can get to the washrooms without going through the loose gravel.”

When it comes to who gets accepted or denied in their application, it is never an easy choice for Council.

“Some other people didn’t get what they wanted and that’s sometimes where the down point comes with this, you feel bad because you have to say no sometimes,” said Goetz. “Whether you know it or not, it bothers Mayor and Council when we say no, we feel like parents when we say ‘no you can’t have that’ so you do tend to get some people unhappy.”

All of the applicants receiving grant money include:

• Merritt Bread Basket Soup Bowl Society
  • $2,900
• Merritt Country Christmas
  • $4,500
• Merritt Mountain Bike Association
  • $1,500
• Nicola Nordic Ski Club
  • $1,500
• Nicola Valley Kennel Club
  • $5,000
• Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church
  • $1,500
• Merritt Snowmobile Club
  • $7,500
• Nicola Valley Community Arts Council
  • $2,500
• Merritt Little Britches Rodeo
  • $1,000
• Nicola Valley Rodeo Association
  • $7,500
• Merritt and District Hospice Society
  • $1,500
• Community Futures Development Corporation of Nicola Valley
  • $1,750.75
• Merritt Dance Society
  • $508.20
• Merritt Otters Swim Club
  • $1,260
• Nicola Valley Skating Club
  • $840
• Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market Association
  • $1,100