Obtaining grant funding from the provincial and federal governments and from trusts can be a great way to stretch your tax dollars, support the local economy, and make investments in both the City’s core infrastructure (water and sewer systems, roads, sidewalks, bridges, etc.) and in much needed amenities (trails, playgrounds, recreation facilities, etc.). But, chasing grants is hard and risky work.
It’s hard work because the preparation needed to be ready to apply for grants, if and when they become available, requires advanced planning and a willingness to spend money to get potential projects “shovel ready,” a process that most often requires the assistance of outside resources, like engineers, certified designers, or specialist planners. The grant application process is also, generally, quite onerous, requiring significant staff time and, sometimes, the assistance of additional outside resources.
This advanced planning and the time required to submit applications is why chasing grants can be a risky business. In part, because you have to be somewhat presumptive and hopeful that grants will be made available for the particular project you’d like to see funded in your community; and, in part, because most grants are generally oversubscribed and the chances of success are uncertain, and oftentimes not in your favour.
Grants generally also require that a local government have cash on hand to contribute to their required portion of the project, as very few grants provide one hundred percent funding. This means that part of the advanced planning for local governments involves some pre-taxation to build cash reserves specifically for matching grant dollars.
Chasing grants for major projects can be risky for local taxpayers too, as it can delay local governments from going to referendum to get a much needed or necessary project done, resulting in significant cost escalation due to inflation if a grant cannot be obtained in a timely manner. That’s the case with the Arts and Recreation Centre project, which is now going to referendum after two unsuccessful attempts to obtain grant funding to support this major investment.
While chasing grants is hard work and a risky venture, Quesnel City Council has a track record of significant success in obtaining grants in order to advance our transition strategy and our capital plan. For example, significant grant funding has been obtained for the costly infrastructure needed for the West Quesnel Land Stability project; extensions to our water system; our branding, marketing, and new signage initiatives; our hosting strategy (the arena precinct and Spirit Square); trails development; and, our waterfront plan.
Grants have also been obtained to almost fully fund our forestry initiatives and the soon to be opened Food Innovation Hub (Sprout Kitchen). Council has also been successful in obtaining grants to support the development of our housing strategy and a number of social initiatives.
The current provincial government, in partnership with the federal government, is now making significant grant funding available for local governments across a broad spectrum of initiatives. Due to Council’s proactive approach to grant funding, Quesnel is well placed to take advantage of these grants to advance our economic and social strategies and to stretch your local property tax dollars.
View the City’s project specific grant list: quesnel.ca/city-hall/finance/grants
Bob Simpson is the Mayor of Quesnel, BC. He can be reached via email here
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