Organizations seek funding from Delaware County Commission

0

Thirteen local organizations asked Delaware County commissioners for Community Enhancement Grants at a work session on Wednesday.

Members of the organizations asked the three commissioners to provide funding for them to put on events and to buy equipment. After each 15-minute presentation, commissioners asked questions of the organizations.

In the order they presented, here are the requests:

• Main Street Delaware Inc. requested $15,000 for its farmers market; and for acquiring native Ohio plants to put in downtown planters.

• The county’s Emergency Management Agency requested $9,385 to purchase weather radios for people who don’t have other means to receive weather alerts; and for improving its siren system.

• The Hartford Croton Fair requested nearly $23,000 to buy and install Light-Emitting Diode bulbs in six buildings. Although the independent fair is in Licking County, it was noted that it draws many participants and visitors from Berkshire, Kingston, Porter and Trenton townships in the northeastern part of the county.

• Harold Wolford, representing Vietnam veterans, requested $15,000 to expand the Operation Forever Grateful event during the Delaware County Fair. Wolford said the funds would go toward doubling the number of meals served and providing each veterans with a memento.

• The Delaware County Fair requested $65,000 for a new skid loader and a forklift, which Agriculture Society officials said would be used every day. It was noted that a skid loader bucket can be removed and fitted with a pallet fork, eliminating the need for a separate forklift. Although the fairgrounds will receive funding from a recently passed hotel bed tax, the funds can’t be used for equipment, the officials said.

• People In Need Inc. requested $10,000 to purchase a new commercial display freezer; and to purchase food for residents during the summer months. Commissioner Gary Merrell said he didn’t think the county’s role was to buy food, but thought the freezer was an appropriate request.

• The Delaware Area Transit Agency requested $41,003 to replace four vehicles that have exceeded federal guidelines for age and mileage.

• Stratford Ecological Center requested $7,500 for ground-penetrating radar as part of an estimated $24,000 project to restore the old cemetery on the center’s grounds.

• The Arts Castle requested $15,000 to be used to maintain its 162-year-old building at 190 W. Winter St.

• Lettuce Work Foundation Inc. requested $10,000 for LED lighting in its greenhouses. Executive director Doug Sharp said the nonprofit helps people with autism by employing them to grow lettuce that is delivered to local groceries and restaurants.

• The Central Ohio Symphony requested $5,000 to put on a second Summer Solstice Music Festival, which had small ensembles playing seven concerts in five days in different communities throughout the county.

• The Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association requested $28,000 for LED lighting for the marquee; house lighting; and security gates and lighting for the rear entrance.

• Hayes High School student body president Cory Beam requested $5,000 in seed money to produce conceptual drawings for a proposed statue of Delaware-born President Rutherford B. Hayes and fountain at the corner of William and Sandusky streets.

• The Delaware County Historical Society requested $29,238 to be used for displays and benches for a proposed Meeker Homestead Museum; digitizing old newspapers; and ELMO-brand document camera, projector and clipboards.

According to county officials, there is $165,000 available annually in Community Enhancement Grants.

Donna Meyer and Brent Carson of the Delaware County Historical Society show a page from a 1921 edition of the Delaware Daily Journal-Herald. The paper was in existence from 1902 to 1929. The society is seeking county funding to digitally preserve old newspapers and other projects.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/03/web1_DSCF7775.jpgDonna Meyer and Brent Carson of the Delaware County Historical Society show a page from a 1921 edition of the Delaware Daily Journal-Herald. The paper was in existence from 1902 to 1929. The society is seeking county funding to digitally preserve old newspapers and other projects.

Gary Budzak | The Gazette

By Gary Budzak

[email protected]

Gary Budzak may be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

No posts to display