Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River town council accepted two more applications for its Grants to Organizations program at its regular meeting on July 14.
Mayor Elaine Manzer says there’s been an increase in applicants this year, with four total applications received before the acceptance of two more by the deadline of June 15.
“For many (organizations), the funding from the Town provides enough assistance to make the events organized by these groups to be viable,” explains Manzer.
“They (the organizations) bring a significant number of visitors to the town and they use various community business including hotels and restaurants,” she adds.
There were four applications received including Glenmary School ($7,450), Peace River High School ($7,450), United Way ($5,000), and Vision Learning ($15,000).
“Two applications were awarded,” Manzer says. “Glenmary and Peace River High School received $7,450 each to host both the 2A Girls and 2A Boys Basketball Provincials bringing visitors from all over the province to Peace River and using an estimated 100 to 150 hotel rooms.”
The total annual budget for 2025 Grants to Organizations is $50,000, with all but $5,720 allocated to groups up to this point. Manzer says the third and final application intake has a deadline of Sept. 15, and she urges organizations to get their applications in.
Manzer says, each year, council discusses changes to the program to ensure it is helping in the most efficient way possible.
“This is an annual budget discussion, and the decision does include discussions of the number of applicants in previous years and the amounts they applied for,” says Manzer.
“This money is allocated from general taxation revenues.”
Manzer says an advantage of this program is allowing council to place emphasis on funding projects that support substantial community events that help to draw economic activity.