Each year the Municipality of Cumberland supports numerous organizations through County General Grants and 2025-26 is no different with the municipality providing in excess of $910,000 to close to approximately 70 organizations in support of programs and events with the aim of promoting arts, culture, tourism and recreation.
Mayor Rod Gilroy was joined recently by Deputy Mayor Fred Gould and Councillors Marchel Strong, Jennifer Houghtaling, Scott Lockhart and Angel McCormick in presenting cheques to representatives of various organizations at the Upper Nappan Service Centre, the River Hebert-Joggins Community Centre, the Pugwash Farmers Market, the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill and Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro.
“We’re extremely pleased the municipality is able to provide support to many community organizations every year,” Mayor Gilroy said. “These organizations are made up of volunteers who provide a valuable service in their communities, including museums, recreational organizations and community centers and many non-profit organizations.
“These are valuable services that we could not replace.”
(From left) Paul Jones and Matthew Bragg of the Oxford and Area Community Centre accept a cheque for $87,500 from Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo.
Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling (left) and Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy present a cheque for $2,000 to Noreen Smiley of the Pugwash Farmers Market. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo.
Mayor Gilroy said the municipality received many more applications than it was able to support. The funding requests totaled approximately $1.8 million with the municipality able to provide a total of $913,979.50 through county grants, district grants, annual grants and student bursaries.
As part of its 2025-26 budget deliberations, municipal council committed to spending one cent per $100,000 taxable assessment on the tax rate to support an increase in requests for grants.
Some highlights of the 2025-26 grants program include $100,000 to the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark as part of a multi-year funding commitment, $87,500 to the Oxford and Area Community Centre, $50,000 to the Tidnish Crossroads Association to help replace the Ketchum Swinging Bridge over the Tidnish River, $30,000 to support the expansion of the Wentworth Learning Centre Cooperative, $15,000 for the Pugwash Yacht Club and $26,000 for the Advocate District Development Association.
Other highlights included $50,000 for the L.A. Animal Shelter’s capital campaign (third year of a three-year $150,000 commitment), $40,000 for the River Hebert and Joggins and Area Community Centre, $20,000 for Cumberland Transportation Services, $25,000 to the Joggins Fossil Institute, $20,000 for the Parrsboro and Area Lions Club, $15,000 to the WestCumb Amateur Radio Club and $10,000 to the Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro.
A list of all 2025-26 grants can be found on the Municipality’s website: https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/grants-to-organizations.html .