As part of Inverness’ new strategy to partner with local businesses when hosting city events rather than taxpayers baring the full cost, the city is strongly marketing its events grants program.
Inverness City Manager Eric WilliamsÂ
City Manager Eric Williams said the program thus far has been a success and the response by local businesses and nonprofit organizations warrants the city continuing the program at least into 2022.
About 22 organizations, business, and applications have been awarded some of the $100,000 the city set aside this year for grants or are in the process of being reviewed to get money.
The money is from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The federal government created the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package in 2020 in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams said the CARES Act money is a good fit with the city’s efforts to spread the cost of hosting events more among local businesses and organizations. In the past, the city has organized and paid for most Inverness events.
Elizabeth Fernley
Liz Fernley, Inverness’ director of marketing, events, and cultural arts, told the Chronicle the program has been successful, but the city wants more local participation.
 “I think it’s been well received by local business and non-profits to enable them to hold events … to support their cause,” Fernley said.
Some of the events the money has helped fund was the Citrus County Blessing’s Ball in October, Reach Across America in October, and Rowing Organization of Citrus County Students (ROCCS) Casino night also in October.
Another recent example is when The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce organized and oversaw Inverness’ Friday night Cooter Festival.
Williams said the city awarded the Chamber $5,000 to organized the downtown event that led up to this year’s Cooter Festival weekend. Williams said it typically cost the city $30,000 to organize and host the event.
The federal money serves two functions, he said.
It “brings opportunities” to businesses and especially nonprofit organizations hit hard by the COVID-pandemic and it creates economic opportunities to the city when visitors come and spend money at restaurants, shops, and gasoline stations, Williams said.
Some of the applicants included the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart, Rowing Organization of Citrus County Students, Inverness Cultural Heritage Council, Citrus County Blessings, and Pro Events, an entertainment business, planning to host events at the Valerie Theatre.
Williams said the grants also allow the city to utilize its facilities such as the Depot District Pavilion for events that might otherwise not get used as frequently. The grants also give city staff lessons in the cost of the events if Inverness were to create and oversee them, he said.
“The beauty of the CARES Act money is that we’re going to stretch that out for years,” Williams said. The city received $600,000 of the federal money.
“We need to be measured” in handing out the grants, he said.
“The program is intended to provide funding for a variety of events and cultural arts programs with the city matching up to 80% of allowable costs,” according to the city’s website.
To learn more about the grant and the application process, go to: https://www.inverness-fl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1155.
Questions about the grant and the application process should be addressed to: covidrelief@inverness.gov.Â
