When a $19,800 HRDC grant was not approved, the Summerland Chamber of Commerce had to make tough decisions to meet its 2012 budget.
The total budget was set at $313,430, with $200,000 coming from the municipality.
While provincial grants were higher than expected, the loss of the HRDC grant meant the chamber’s total funding for the year came to $303,906, or 97 per cent of the budgeted amount.
Expenses came to $304,830, chamber manager Christine Petkau told municipal council on Monday evening. This is a shortfall of $924.
She said the HRDC grant was to pay for summer students to staff the Visitor Information Centre on Highway 97.
Petkau said the chamber took a careful look at its figures in order to find the money to hire summer students.
In addition, she said businesses were asked to increase their level of sponsorship for the annual Festival of Lights.
For this year, the chamber’s budget includes a $10,000 HRDC grant, but Petkau said even if the grant is not approved, the chamber will still ensure the centre is staffed.