The Maniototo Community Board has distributed the first round of grants for this financial year.
At last Thursday’s meeting, board members considered two applications for community grants and one application for a promotions grant.
Naseby Information and Craft chairwoman Hazel Harrison spoke in the public forum, supporting the group’s community grant application for $4500, an increase of $500 from the grant received from the board last year.
The group was grateful to have received funds from the board since every year since its establishment 25 years ago, MsHarrison said.
Ongoing challenges such as fewer volunteers, lower visitor numbers and downturn in visitor spending reduced the group’s opportunities to generate income.
"Costs keep going up for us — there’s no two ways on that," Ms Harrison said.
Central Otago District Council community development adviser Rebecca Williams told the board the requested increase was not unreasonable.
"However, my recommendation is to remain at the same because if you grant it then it gives you less to give to [other grant applications]."
Naseby Information and Craft could apply for the additional funding in the second round of grants in March next year, Mrs Williams said.
The board accepted her recommendation and granted Naseby Information and Craft $4000.
Also successful in their grant applications were Maniototo Early Settlers Association ($8300) and Tiaki Maniototo ($1437).
