Merritt applying for summer jobs grant

Merritt City Council recently approved a motion to apply for grant dollars to help fund the local Summer Community Ambassador Program.

The program has run since 2016 and works in partnership with City staff and staff at the Merritt Visitor Centre to provide mobile resident and visitor support throughout the summer.

“The Community Ambassadors are often local students who work throughout the Nicola Valley to promote and support community-wide initiatives,” said Tourism Manager Will George. “The students would be working out of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame building, at the Mobile Visitor Info Centre, and throughout the Nicola Valley as required.”

If approved the City would still be funding a portion of the program.

“The total grant funding request for five positions is $43,860. If the City of Merritt is successful in receive funding for all five positions, the total cost for the City of Merritt would be approximately $25,000,” added George.

It was noted that no students were hired in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.