The funding pool has been increased and a new category added to Wagga Wagga City Council's Annual Grants Program 2019/20.
Each year, Council invites organisations, groups, individuals, and small businesses in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area to apply for the community grants, with this year's available funding increased to $198,500 from $186,000 in 2018/19.
A new category, Small Business, has also been added, building off the success of Council's previous Economic Development Grants Program.
Other grants categories included Community Health & Wellbeing, Connected Rural & Urban Communities, Arts and Culture, Local Heritage, Events, Natural Environment, and the Youth Led Initiatives category, which was added to the 2018/19 program.
"The Annual Grants Program allows us to support a diverse range of projects that directly benefit our community," Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.
"It's one of many ways we support our community at a grassroots level, whether you live in the city, a village or in a rural area.
"Through our grants program, we can support a wide range of services and activities that build community capacity, foster social networks and information exchange, facilitate cooperation and build on existing community strengths.
"It's part of Council's ongoing commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040."
Last year, 60 community projects were made possible through Council's grants program, ranging from $3704 to assist the Ladysmith P & C run children's art workshops to $2500 for Landcare to host community outdoor movie screenings.
Cr Conkey said he looks forward to the broad mix of applications, particularly those in the new Small Business category.
"The Small Business grants range from $1000 to $10,000 to allow our local businesses to grow, improve their customer experience or implement innovative ideas," he said.
"The grants can be used for everything from improving their shopfront or alfresco dining to new production equipment to help small businesses grow.
"This is the second year in a row we have added a new category following the Youth-Led Initiatives in 2018/19. We are always looking at ways we can help our community through the grants program."
Applications open at 9am, Monday 18 March and close on 13 May. An information session will be held on 2 April from 4pm to 6pm in the Council Meeting Room. Grants officers for each category will be available to help community members through the application process.
