Forty-five community groups and events across Indigo Shire will share in $80,000 of funding, with Council announcing the successful recipients of the 2019/20 Community Grants and Tourism Festival and Events Grants Programs at Tuesday night's Ordinary Council Meeting.
The grants include $50,000 as part of the Community Grants Program and $30,000 as part of the Tourism Festival and Events Grants Program.
Indigo Shire Mayor, Cr Bernard Gaffney, said Council's grants streams support the wonderful work of community organisations and industry groups in delivering a range of exciting projects and events.
"We received a large number of successful applications for arts and culture projects this year, including providing equipment for a rock school holiday program for aspiring musicians. Other successful projects include facility upgrades for a variety of sporting clubs and service groups, and support for two youth initiatives," Cr Gaffney said.
"Our Tourism Festival and Events Grant Program provides support for innovation and growth for existing events and encourages new festivals and events in the Shire. Events receiving funding this year span music, arts, food and wine, mountain biking and more."
Festivals and events are key tourism drivers in Indigo Shire, with conservative economic modelling demonstrating the Shire's festivals contribute turnover of approximately $17 million to the local economy each year.
"We wish all our grant recipients every success and we look forward to seeing the projects come to fruition," Cr Gaffney said.
A full list of successful grant recipients can be found here.
A new stream of Council funding was also endorsed at last night's Council Meeting. The Community Events Grant Program will provide a new opportunity for Council to support social and cultural activities across the shire that don't meet the guidelines of the other grant streams. Applications for these grants will open in late September and information will be available on Council's website.
