FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2023

Mayor Noble Announces First 2023 ARPA Community Events Grant Awards

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the first of the City of Kingston’s 2023 Community Events Grant Program have been awarded.

The 2023 Community Events Grant Program is made possible with Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The City has allocated $375,000 to support local events occurring in 2023 as part of city-wide pandemic recovery efforts. The first Community Events grants have been awarded to Bardavon for their Spring, Summer and Fall Free Film series, and a live performance of Through the Fire at the UPAC theater. Bardavon will receive $5,000 for each event for a total of $20,000. The Kingston Uptown Business Association has been awarded $5,000 to support the 2023 Snowflake Festival.

“We are thrilled to get this infusion of Federal ARPA funding directly into the community to support the first of many wonderful events this year,” said Mayor Noble. “Kingston has long been a city of events, which have been a draw to our area and a source of community pride and unity. Our goal with this program is to support as many local events and festivals as possible, and I encourage community groups to apply for this funding.”

Chris Silva, Executive Director at Bardavon said, “These funds create a great opportunity for our community to gather together and celebrate the magic and wonder of seeing movies at UPAC, on the largest screen in the Hudson Valley, for free!”

Julie Jordan, Snowflake Festival Chairman said, “This was my first time submitting a city grant application and the process was seamless. Ruth Ann Dewitt-Frank was kind enough to walk me through the process and answer all my questions promptly. Kingston Uptown Business Association is thrilled we were awarded the maximum amount for this year’s Snowflake Festival.”

Nonprofit groups and businesses located within City limits are eligible to apply for up to five events per year at up to $5,000 per event, for a total of up to $25,000 per organization. Events must be free and open to the public. Events must take place in 2023, and must have either previously taken place prior to 2020, or if new, not duplicate pre-existing events and focus primarily on youth and families as the target audience. Preference will be shown to applications for events that focus primarily on youth and families as well as those that draw audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Funding is available for events taking place through the end of December 2023. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, November 1, 2023. The last eligible event date is December 31, 2023.

More information, a list of eligible expenses, and the application can be found at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-community-events-grant-program.