• We applied for 4 grants this year, 2 for construction and 2 for programming.
• We have recently been awarded 2 grants (CAF and ICET), both to be used for infrastructure construction.
• The “CAF” grant (Community Adjustment Fund) is for job creation and is from the Government of Canada. This is a one-time grant of $717,000 and will add employment to the Coast.
• The “ICET”grant (Island Coastal Economic Trust) is for economic diversification and is from the North Island-Coastal Development Initiative Trust. This fund was set up several years ago to help resource-based communities broaden the scope of their local economies. We were awarded $370,000. The Botanical Garden will attract tourists from off the Coast.
• We have to match part of the funding; our portion is approximately $120,000, about half of it has already been raised.
• As with many community groups, we were not awarded a Direct Access (Gaming) grant from the Province. The other grant decision is still pending.

Construction

• Both CAF and ICE-T grants will be used by the Society for labour and materials to put infrastructure for the Garden in place.
• Construction will begin this fall, with most work completed during 2010.
• The project, nicknamed GroundWork, includes:
  • Parking lot and work-yard permeable surfacing
  • Permeable perimeter road (No, we’re definitely not paving paradise!)
  • Re-establishment of the existing drainage ditches
  • Irrigation lines
  • Some pond reclamation
  • Utilities such as hydro, water, and septic systems
  • An Education building to replace the old farmhouse (all facilities to be accessible)
  • Repair and completion of the existing large sheds

Additional Information

• The grants apply specifically to the GroundWork project rather than land acquisition.
• We have title to the land (we raised $200,000 to make the down payment.)
• The mortgage of $670,000 is due for re-financing in June 2011.