INNISFAIL – The town has handed out the first grants from the new Community Benefit Fund that was established by the owner of the new multi million-dollar Innisfail Solar Farm.
On April 7, two awards from the fund were presented. The Innisfail Public Library received $3,000 and the Innisfail and District Victim Services got $2,000.
Mary Dawn Eggleton, program manager for victim services, said she and her organization were grateful for the grant as it will go towards needed crime prevention initiatives.
“We are very excited. Any time we are recognized for the work that we do and shown appreciation with grant funding it is definitely much appreciated,” said Eggleton.
She said the $2,000 will go towards an anti-fraud campaign. Eggleton said some of the grant will be put towards purchasing anti-fraud licence screws.
“Licence plate theft is definitely a crime of opportunity,” she said, adding the agency may also launch an anti-shredding campaign. “People can bring all their shredding paper work, and for free have it all shredded.”
Eggleton said her agency would also like to put on some anti-fraud workshops for elderly citizens to help recognize scams.
Tara Downs, manager of the Innisfail Public Library, said the library is using its $3,000 grant to purchase a 3-D printer to use for programs and events, and for patrons who need printing done.
“It is a pretty amazing thing. 3-D printing is fun,” said Downs, noting there is one at the Didsbury Public Library. “A lot of people have them already. We are lagging behind that. There is no technology in town like this. It is something we should have access to.”
The fund was established by B.C.-based Elemental Energy, owners of Innisfail Solar. The company began operations of the Innisfail Solar Farm last July 2020.
As part of its lease agreement with the town, the company agreed to provide the town with an annual $20,000 grant to support community and non-profit initiatives. As the solar farm was only operational for half of its first year in 2020, this year’s contribution is $10,000.
Half of the contribution is for the new Community Benefit Fund which will provide grants to local community and non-profit groups.
Another portion is for the town’s new Fee Assistance Program, while the remaining monies are going toward environmental education programs at local schools.
Meghan Jenkins, the town’s director of community services, said the Fee Assistance Program supports financially challenged citizens and families who can apply for up to $200 a year towards sports registration fees, vouchers for the local handi-van, art classes or family passes at the aquatic centre.
Jenkins added the program is now active but the town has not received many applications because many activities are not running due to the pandemic and accompanying provincial COVID-19 restrictions.
