(CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Medicine Hat investigating potential grant program for big non-profit projects, research ways to improve downtown

Feb 20, 2024 | 7:40 PM

The City of Medicine Hat will look into creating eligibility criteria for grant programs that would benefit non-profit agencies and examine ways the city could help improve the city’s downtown.

City council approved the two proposals from Coun. Ramona Robins during its Tuesday meeting after some changes, sending it to staff to prepare options for council to later consider.

Robins wanted these ideas to come before staff ahead of the next two-year budget process that will take place later this year.

All Robins’ proposals do is ask for staff to consult with stakeholders and carry out research into criteria, with any final decision on the costing of a grant program and implementation left to a later date after council has more information.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

4h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

6h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

22h ago

Non-profit capital projects

Robins’ first proposal was to ask staff to look into ways the city can help non-profits complete capital projects that would allow the organizations to continue operating.

The initiative aims to set out criteria that council can use to decide when a non-profit organization receives financial help from the city for capital projects such as essential building upgrades like a broken roof or replacing LED light bulbs.

It would create a consistent rubric for council to go by when approving big sums of cash for these projects.

Staff will work out eligibility for a capital project grant program for non-profits and return to council with what they learn after research and options for a decision.

Couns. Cassi Hider, Darren Hirsch and Shila Sharps voted against the non-profit capital project program.

Downtown enhancement

Robins’ second motion to ask staff to look into options around creating criteria for a downtown enhancement grant program was amended by council.

The amendment reworded the motion to make it clearer the proposal is about consulting the community before making a final decision.

That amended version of Robins’ motion was passed unanimously by council, a change that Robins said she agreed with.

“It’s presented originally as to do some consultation with stakeholders, downtown business owners, nonprofits, churches…then come up with the ideas for a possible grant program,” she told CHAT News following the council meeting.

“The way that the motion was worded, it seemed like that grant program was going to be an automatic result of that inquiry and so then the decision by council was to remove the second part that,” she said, explaining it was about offering more clarity.

Both initiatives are expected to return to the chamber for a decision in the spring.

The next council meeting is on March 4.