The City of Grande Prairie has approved an increase to the city’s Barrier Free Grant funding by an additional $10K, making the current amount available for eligible organizations $20K.
Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the expansion of funding will support initiatives from organizations and businesses that would implement barrier-free upgrades for customers such as wheelchair ramps and other accessibility projects.
“I know that council will want to have a discussion once that money is allocated, we’re just optimistic that the increase to $20,000 although could be less overall, it opens the door for larger initiatives in the barrier-free space,” she says.
Alongside the increased cap, council implemented a finite timeframe for funding applications, currently scheduled for March 31st next year.
“The reason being the policy if it was left as is would have just simply expired when the money was gone,” Mayor Clayton says.
In a recent report to council, city administration noted that between 2021 and 2023, eight of fifteen applicants would have received more than the previous allotted amount of $10K, if the cap was higher.
Interested businesses and property owners can apply by contacting the City of Grande Prairie.