Timaru District councillors listen to an annual plan submissions from 21 applications to the Stimulus Fund to boost recovery in response to COVID-19, contributing to community wellbeing and stimulating economic activity.
Joanne Holden Stuff Timaru Herald
Photo: MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/STUFF
Timaru District Council has selected ten local projects to share $1.85 million of the COVID-19 stimulus fund.
The fund, which was agreed in the 2020/21 annual plan, was aimed at supporting initiatives that enhance and boost recovery in response to COVID-19, contributing to community wellbeing and stimulating economic activity.
The fund attracted 21 applications totalling nearly $3 million, which were assessed during yesterday’s council meeting.
Mayor Nigel Bowen thanked all the community groups who had taken the time to apply to the fund, saying that the high standard of applications had made it a challenging process for councillors.
“We’re pleased that through this fund we’ve been able to provide essential support for projects to enable more than $12 million of economic stimulus in the local economy over the next 12 months.
“A key driver for the councillors was support for projects that not only had the biggest short term ‘shovel-ready’ stimulus, but also delivered the community some excellent new facilities in the long term.
“While we couldn’t support every project, for those that didn’t gain funding through this specific fund, we’ve made sure that we’ve highlighted alternative sources of support both within council and from other external funding bodies.”
Owen Jackson said he was excited to recieve $77,867. "This will enable us to get on to the next phase of the design work".