$50,000 grant approved for Bragg Creek and Langdon Chambers of Commerce
Rocky View County (RVC) council unanimously approved two grants for the Bragg Creek and Langdon Chambers of Commerce totalling $25,000 each.
The grants, which come courtesy of the County’s Economic Initiative Development Grants, were held over from 2023.County administration stated that they’re already working on the 2024 Economic Initiative Development Grants.
In their grant requests, the Langdon Chamber of Commerce asked for a $26,530 grant that would allow them to pay wages of outside contractors and major community events that they organize throughout the year.
The Bragg Creek Chamber had requested $41,916 that go towards covering tourism efforts in Bragg Creek. The Bragg Creek Chamber organizes marketing campaigns and creates social media posts and newsletters as part of their tourism responsibilities.
However; County administration decided to suggest a grant of $25,000 each to both Chambers, with the number increasing to a total of $75,000 that the Chambers can ask for in 2024.
Under the Grant Initiative, the Bragg Creek and Langdon Chambers, as well as a third “unnamed” organization in RVC (likely rhe Balzac Business Community Association), are entitled to the grants at the “discretion and approval of council.”
New location for Springbank Recycling Depot
After some debate, RVC council decided to relocate the Springbank Recycling Depot from its current location on Commercial Drive, to a shared location with the Springbank Dog Park.
County administration had previously recommended relocating the Depot to the 75 acres of land north of Springbank Park for All Seasons.
Division 3 Coun. and Reeve Crystal Kissel stated her opposition this recommendation stemmed from her loathing to put a recycling centre on land meant for recreational purposes.
“We didn’t buy [recreation] land to put garbage on it,” said Kissel, who seemed to share the same sentiment with the other councillors.
Division 4 Coun. Samanntha Wright said “commercial operations don't belong in residential areas.”
The Dog Park alternative, which is just southwest of the Depot’s current location, is classified as Municipal Reserve land, which would require council directive to change in order to allow for the Depot to be located alongside the Dog Park.
In their council report, Administration said that the benefit of splitting the Dog Park's land with the Depot is that it wouldn't move the Depot into residential territory.
Council’s decision to approve this move was unanimous.
