How Gardner Turned $1 into $266.67 – 75,000 Times
It was a simple request at the time and eventually $75,000 was spent on a 3rd party grant writer to supplement in-house efforts. A few were skeptical and then the unthinkable happened. Gardner got back $20 million in grant funds, some 266 times the investment.
Now the City is ready for Round 2, equipped with up to $100,000 to do it again. Last time the pitch was, just one successful grant will more than cover it. This time the pitch was, look at the results.
We recently spoke with Gardner Mayor Nicholson about the subject. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The City of Gardner has an almost $80 million annual budget. Saving $20 million through grants in an amount which represents about 1/4 of the property tax bill of each Gardner property owner is a significant amount.
Publisher’s Note: A Rogue Social Media Knucklehead actually suggested that the City of Gardner should be investigated for wrongdoing by the U.S. Justice Department for approving the $100,000. We suggest the following: If the knucklehead doesn’t appreciate saving thousands in potential taxes, then he could easily write a check to the City of Gardner in whatever amount of donation to relieve guilt. Otherwise we say, sit back and be thankful you have local officials who are looking out for the taxpayers every single day and managed to save them $20,000,000 with just one good decision. Millions more in grants have been written in-house by elected officials and City employees for both municipal needs and School Department needs. An effort to be congratulated…. We send applause.