Five grants totaling over $130,000 to help enhance and enrich the community were approved by Loyalist Township's council on Monday.

The grant applications were submitted under the Renewable Energy Fund Grant Policy. The Renewable Energy Fund provides funding for capital and other eligible projects that will help enhance the community.

Three of the applications fell under the Renewable Energy Benefit Fund Grant stream, while the other two fell under the Community Grant stream of the policy.  Of the five groups, four are first-time recipients of this grant.

All five grants were approved, with one friendly amendment:

• The 1st Amherstview/Bath Scouts, and Amherstview Lions Club were each approved for a grant of $5,000;
• Loyalist Township was approved for a grant of $60,000;
• Loyalist Business Association was approved for a grant of $10,000;
• The Amherst Island Community Café was approved for a grant of $57,837.49

The Loyalist Business Association was originally asking for $20,000, but council felt there wasn't enough trackable history with the association to approve the full funding. Coun. Carol Parks explained why they chose to only approve half the requested amount.

"There was some discussion about some of the concerns as to the lack of progress this organization has made to move this forward, but we did feel it was a viable option to try to get more marketing out for our local businesses, and support those," said Parks.

Loyalist Township adopted the Renewable Energy Fund Grant Policy to establish guidelines for the maintenance and accounting of the funding received through the Community Benefit agreement with Windlectric, and the Community Vibrancy Fund agreement with Kingston Solar GP. The intent is to provide financial assistance to local community groups and organizations within the township.

Hear the story below: