A PROFITS SHARE scheme from a 29-turbine wind farm near Forres is to release a further £30,000 in donations to community causes around Forres and Dufftown.
The Berry Burn Community Fund was set up by international renewables firm Statkraft, who have pledged to sink £167,000 over the year into a variety of community projects.
Over half of that cash has already been distributed – now the fund has revealed that the third round of funding is being made.
Berry Burn, to the south of Forres, has been operational since May last year and is designed to meet the electricity needs of over 43,000 homes. The community benefit fund was set up in September and is aimed at projects that would benefit clubs, societies or groups operating in the vicinity.
Announcing the third round of allocations, the fund chairman Eddie Tomkinson said: “The fund is not tied to giving out a particular amount of money in each funding round, they use their discretion and make decisions based on the quality of applications.
“Naturally, given that there is a pot of just over £160,000 each year and four funding rounds, it is unlikely that large very large applications or ones that do not entirely convince the fund members of their validity will be viewed favourably.
“Distributing £40,000 every quarter may sound a lot – but it soon goes. This time round we have offered some applicants funding only if they manage to raise the same or a greater amount themselves, and this is an approach we may take again in future.”
In the third round of funding revealed this week £8,288 will go to providing new doors at the Edinkillie Community Hall while another £8,000 will see better Christmas Lights in Grantown this year.
Rafford Village Hall will also benefit with a £3,429 donation to help restore a stain-glass window while there are further grants to youth organisations in Kinloss and Grantown as well as the river festival on the Findhorn.
Research into restoration work at Kinloss Abbey will receive assistance from the fund.