The municipality of Grey Highlands council has re-opened the application process for its community grant program.
“We have a draft COVID-19 application, which is basically a one-page document that outlines what the money's for. We are here if there are any questions but it is meant to be a simple and quick process,” said Michele Harris, director of community and economic development for the municipality of Grey Highlands.
The grant program is available to community organizations that are actively providing relief or services to residents that are in crisis due to COVID-19.
The application process had been closed when the municipality declared a state of emergency earlier this month.
Council members made the decision to re-open the application process as a first step in addressing the needs of these organizations at a virtual council meeting held on April 15.
“All applications are to be brought to council as they are received to consider the allocation of funds during the declared emergency,” said Councillor Paul Allen.
Applicants are required to outline how they will use the emergency funds and how that action will benefit the community.
“The requirement for the grant allocation is that you have to deliver by the end of 2020 on what you have asked for the money for. If the municipality dispenses money and it was unable to be used, the organization would be required to return it,” Harris added.
Interested groups can apply to be considered for emergency COVID funds on the Grey Highlands website.
Along with re-opening the application process, council also voted unanimously to immediately dispense $2,500 to each of the area food banks, which had been discussed at the April 8 council meeting.
