Hawkesbury council agreed to provide a little extra help with its community aid grants.

Council approved a recommendation from administration to increase the amount of community grants money allocated as part of this year’s municipal budget.

The original allocation was for $25,000. But the advisory review committee decided that more money was needed to ensure support for several groups with projects deemed worthy of assistance.

The Hawkesbury Auto Club asked for $8000 to help sponsor its annual summer classic car show in Hawkesbury’s downtown core, along with other projects. Hawkesbury’s Business Improvement Area/Commission de la zone d’amélioration/Business Improvement Area has asked for $7000 to assist with some of its projects for the downtown. The Hawkesbury Bike Night group requested $3000 for its annual evening music fest in the downtown core.

The Soccer Pro 17 Association asked for $4000 to help support youth soccer. Prescott-Russell Victims Services requested $2500 to help its program of advisory and support service for victims of crime and traumatic events. There were $1000 requests each from the Prescott-Russell Immigrant Women’s Network, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Prescott-Russell Hawkesbury Cameroonians Association. The Hawkesbury Islamic Cultural Centre asked for$750 to assist its programs.

The number of community aid requests that the review committee deemed suitable for funding help total $28,250. The town receives $10,000 from the United Counties of Prescott-Russell to assist with its community grants program.

Council approved an increase to the grants allocation in the municipal budget.