upgrade its security system.
Several local nonprofit agencies submitted budget requests to the Martinsville City Council on March 18. Requests came from organizations including the Martinsville-Henry County SPCA, Piedmont Arts, Warming Shelter, and Salvation Army. Each group provided an overview of its mission before presenting its funding request.
The Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) requested $40,000, an increase of $12,500 from previous years. The Warming Center requested $35,000, the same amount as last year, and mentioned the possibility of adding a cooling shelter during the summer.
The Fayette Area Historical Initiative (FAHI) requested $7,500 to accommodate its growing number of visitors and to invest in a recommended new security system. The SPCA, which serves more than 1,400 animals annually, requested $20,000, an increase of $5,000 from last year.
Aging’s request.
The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) requested $100,000, the same as last year, to continue supporting economic growth in the area. Patrick & Henry Community College also requested level funding of $19,835 to help rebuild its local fund balance.
The Southern Area Agency on Aging requested funding to support its Alzheimer’s respite program, asking for $1,481, an increase of $111 from last year. The Salvation Army requested $50,000 to help fund its community garden initiative.
The Southside Survivor Response Center requested $20,000, an increase from last year’s funding, to support victims of domestic abuse. The Virginia Legal Aid Society requested $7,500, while the Virginia Museum of Natural History asked for $10,815 to support two full-time educators. The Western Virginia EMS Council requested $4,435, the same as last year.
Piedmont Arts Association requested $15,000 in level funding. Anchor also sought level funding of $50,504. Blue Ridge Regional Library requested a 5 percent increase from last year’s $317,704 to help offset rising costs. Focus on Youth CASA (FOCUS) requested $5,220 in level funding to continue supporting children in the area.
