Kincardine council is about to offer up 100 thousand dollars as seed money for the Penatangore Regional Economic Development Corporation.
Former Kincardine Deputy Mayor Laura Haight was back before council Thursday, questioning the money the Penatangore Regional Economic Development Corporation is getting.
Haight says she can’t get any specifics as to what the group will do with the money that was allotted which came after the municipality had developed its own 2011 budget was passed by councillors.
Kincardine councillor Maureen Couture is in the same boat.
She says the project was not in the budget process and should not get preferential treatment.
The chair of PREDC Jim Prenger took the criticism in stride and can understand it.
He says those who were against the money weren’t at the earlier meetings or presentations to council when the budget was presented and where it was explained how the money would be used.
Prenger says there will be transparency as they will report quarterly to council on what they’re doing.
He says the money is no different than what was being spent on the former Economic Development Corporation of the municipality.
He says you just didn’t see the money because it was spent on salaries.
According to background material, PREDC will pursue and develop economic development activities and projects that will stimulate the economy in Kincardine.
The organization will be a non-profit group and it’s board of directors will be volunteers only.
Council has approved in principle the financial support of 100 thousand dollars to the group.
Formal approval will come July 6th.
