At the November 14 meeting, Champlain Township Council debated where 2025 municipal grant money would be allocated. The Township received 22 funding requests from organizations and non-profits.
In 2024, the Township allocated $66,740 in municipal grants. For 2025, the grant amount has increased to $70,000, reflecting a 4.89 percent rise in funding for community and local projects.
Keeping within the budget limit of $70,000 for these municipal grants, councillors debated where the money would be best spent to support community building and township goals. Council received requests totalling more than $108,000.
Under the “Community Grants” application process, numerous factors were considered for funds distribution, including the quality and credibility of applying organizations (accreditation and licensing), demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness, stability, and the number of Champlain residents to be served by the proposed project. Additionally, the uniqueness of the service, completeness, and quality of the application were also determining factors.
Applications that relied solely on the township for the success of projects, incomplete or unclear submissions, and duplicate projects were not considered.
A total of 12 Community Grants were approved with varying amounts, except for the Accord Choir application of $2,000. Approved grants and amounts included $500 for the Vankleek Hill Meals on Wheels program, $1,000 for Arks Harvest, $3,500 for the Arbor Gallery, $4,000 for Ski Vent Clic, $3,500 for the Vankleek Hill Business Merchant Association, $3,500 for the Vankleek Hill Historical Society and Museum, and $8,475 for the L’Orignal Food Bank, among others.
Councillor Paul Burroughs vehemently pushed for any additional funding left over to go towards the L’Orignal Food Bank, citing the staff recommendation of $5,000 from the $10,000 requested would not be enough.
Burroughs argued, “The food bank is not where we should start cutting. These things are where public funds should be used to meet the needs of our communities.”
In addition, when discussing the application from Vankleek Hill Meals on Wheels, Burroughs and Councillor Sarah Bigelow were in favour of allocating the $500 amount to serve the aging population and ensure that the program supports the mental health of those impacted. This went against the staff recommendation, stating the application be denied outright.
Facility Usage Allowance Sponsorship applications must be from non-profit community groups and organizations and be focused on projects within the Township. All three applications were approved. Prescott-Russell Community Services will receive $4,000, Club Amicale de L’Orignal will receive $2,700, and the Vankleek Hill Farmer’s Market will retain the right to use 79 Derby Avenue and the storage shed.
Requests were also approved for the Alzheimer Society of Cornwall Slo-Pitch Tournament to receive $655, La Baie Run will receive $5,370, Beau’s 5K for Ovarian Cancer Canada is to get $780, and lastly, the May Show and Festival of Flavours is to receive $5,480.
Two special events grants were approved by Council. The Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society will receive $9,960 for the Truck Pull and Show and Shine, and the Vankleek Hill Fair, while $500 will go toward the Vankleek Hill Fiddle and Dance Competition. The application by the 200 Years: Knox Experience requesting $20,000 was declined by Council.
