Meeting papers

COUNCIL POLICY – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM

The Economic Development Grant Program consists of the following categories:

1. Quick Response Grants

This category supports small, one off projects such as workshops, meet ups and events that
engage and benefit the Noosa business community.

2. Project Partnership Grants

Project Partnership Grants support innovative one-off projects of merit that have a positive impact
on the local business environment and will be completed within 12 months of commencement.

3. Multi Year Partnership Grants

Multi Year Partnership Grants assist stakeholders to deliver longer term programs agreed by
Council that extend beyond a 12 month period.

Multi Year Partnership Grant recipients will be required to provide an annual progress report that
includes a financial report, which demonstrates delivery of agreed projects and outcomes.

Where a not for profit business representative association successfully apply for a Project or Multi
Year or Partnership Grant, funding agreements will consider providing financial support to the
organisation for the term of the project for operational costs providing the project provides
significant benefit to the Noosa business community.

Council will not wholly fund grant projects. It is expected that the applicant will make both a cash
and in-kind contribution to the project. Applicant cash contributions could consist of either direct
cash injection, sponsorship, other grant funds.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The Economic Development Grant Program will operate on an open grant round basis. That is to
say, applications will open on a date specified in the Economic Development Grant Program
Guidelines and remain open until the end of the financial year or until the funding is fully allocated.

Applications must be submitted on a current Grant Application Form made available by Noosa
Council, and all successful grant applications must acquit funds within the allocated timeframes as
outlined in the supporting grant program guidelines for the specific economic category.

All successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with Council and will be
required to actively and publicly acknowledge Councils support.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Council will publicise the availability of its grants programs widely and in such a way as to promote
public confidence in the process.

In assessing the grants, Council will:

    Ensure public monies are allocated in a fair and equitable way;
    Ensure best possible value for money;
    Check each application against eligibility criteria as set out in the appropriate Grant
     Guidelines;



                                                                                               Page 3
                                                                                               Page 322 of 476