Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons says new support from the BC government will help local fairs, festivals and community events resume on the Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast is well-known for its vibrant arts and culture scene,” stated Simons in a media release. “COVID-19 put a damper on some of our favourite events, but our government is here to support these events and their organizers to help them come back stronger than ever and keep our communities vibrant.”
Three fairs, festivals and events that have operated in the qathet region will benefit from $85,000 in recovery funding. Events include Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA), which will be receiving $50,000, Townsite Jazz Festival, which will be receiving $10,000, and the Rainforest Circus, which has taken place up and down the Sunshine Coast, will receive $25,000.
These fairs, festivals and events are among 680 events across the province supported by the provincial government’s investment. The government is providing nearly $30 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely, according to the release. Grant amounts for each event are up to 20 per cent of the total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000.
Successful recipients demonstrated the economic and social benefits of their event, as well as strong local or regional support, the release stated. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the provincial government has worked closely with BC’s tourism sector and provided $225 million in support to ensure businesses and nonprofits can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come, according to the media release.
