By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
A total of 66 local initiatives are receiving funding through the Together CK Grant program.
Approved by Chatham-Kent council Feb. 23, the program will disperse $375,000 in funds for a wide array of events taking place in 2026.
According to a report by C-K community grants co-ordinator Peter Sulman, $102,610 was allocated for significant events; $137,607 is going to community events and an additional $134,783 is destined for community projects.
Five significant events earmarked for grants include Chatham-Kent Crowfest ($22,522); Sidestreets Youth Centre at the Dresden Night Market ($20,000); the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA for Retrofest ($20,000); the Thamesville Threshing Festival ($20,000) and $20,000 for the Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing (WAMBO).
There were 22 approved applications for community projects and 39 for community events.
“It is important to note that 14 communities are receiving funding for either a project or event or both,” Sulman told council, stressing the money is for all communities.
In his comments, Mayor Darrin Canniff called the announcements “extremely good news.
“This shows that it impacts organizations across Chatham-Kent,” he said, adding it builds on the most important resource people give –their time.
“I want to thank the organizations who received the money for all the amazing things they are doing,” the mayor said.
A total of 80 applications were received across all funding streams equaling an ask of $476,286. The report indicated that some of the money that was unused in one category was rolled over to finance other streams.
Citizen representatives on the assessment panel include Fannie Vavoulis, Janet Barnes, Libby Passmore, Marlee Robinson and Patricia Planting, while the administrative side included Chatham-Kent’s tourism supervisor; a planner; a financial analyst and a licensing assistant.
