2017-01-16 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                16 JANUARY 2017


12                       ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM 2016-17
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Senior Economic Development Officer, Carolyn Bullen
                                    Executive Office

Index                               ECM / Subject / Economic Development Grants

Attachments                         1.    Economic Development Grant Program
                                          2016-17 Application Summary


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Senior Economic Development Officer to the General
Committee Meeting dated 16 January 2017 and approve the 2016/2017 Economic Development
Grant Program recommendations provided at Attachment 1 to the report.


REPORT
1.                       Background
The purpose of this report is for Council to consider and endorse the 2016/17 Economic
Development Grants.

The Economic Development Grant Program is an initiative under the Local Economic Plan and
applications are open to not for profit incorporated business representative organisations. The
program was endorsed by Council at its meeting of 18 August 2017 with a funding pool of $60,000.

2.                       Grant Process
                       Local not for profit business representative organisations were invited to attend an
                         information session to learn more about the Economic Development Grant Program.
                       The 2016-17 Economic Development Grant round was advertised in local media, on social
                         media, Council’s website and via local business representative organisations.
                       It opened on 1 September 2017 and closed 26 October 2017.
                       Applications were checked for eligibility against the Noosa Council Community Grants Policy
                         and Guidelines.
                       Applications were reviewed and commented on by a panel of specialist staff with appropriate
                         expertise.
                       8 completed applications were received.
                       The assessment panel recommendations include 5 approved applications totalling $42,728;
                         2 declined applications valued at $9,400; and one application withdrawn by the applicant.

3.                       Implementation
On endorsement of this report, grant applicants will be notified of the outcomes. Funding
agreements will be developed and funding distributed to applicants from January 2017 subject to
the conditions of funding specified in the agreements.




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