Following this weeks announcement, the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) supports re-establishing the Community Gaming grant money to a base of $135 million following the severe cuts instituted last year.
“These gaming monies are critical in providing services which would otherwise be too expensive to be provided directly by the government,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the SBOT, “and represent a substantial part of the economy in terms of putting money directly in to the economy while providing a large number of jobs, which in turn, stimulate the economy further.”
The SBOT recommends that, when the economic climate allows, the Gaming Funding amount should be increased to the $156 million recommended by the Skip Triplett report, as part of the Community Gaming Consultation that took place in 2011. The SBOT supports and appreciates the analysis and options put forward in the report.
We are concerned that the decision has been made to increase the number of organizations eligible for funding while making no allowance for these increased demands on the available money. This announcement does not return to the original base funding in 2008. The SBOT urges the government to restore and build on this relative balance as the economy improves.
The SBOT recognizes that the provincial government is under serious economic restraint but cautions it to be mindful of the enormous economic and social value these organizations deliver.
The board represents 3,600 business contacts. It advocates at all levels of government, provides networking opportunities, international trade services, cost saving, marketing and business education. We work behind the scenes for business to improve our economic climate and to serve the needs of business.
