Winners Announced For City Catalyst Grants By Scott Dudley Florida League of Mayors and Beth Rawlins Business Watch
T
he Florida League of Mayors (FLM) and Business Watch have announced the three winners of this year’s City Catalyst Grants. FLM and Business Watch partner to offer grants that will be used to support projects or initiatives that help build community and/ or help enhance the lives of citizens in our municipalities. The FLM and Business Watch are committed to sharing common-sense solutions and helping strengthen our communities. Both are proud to once again host the City Catalyst Grants Programs.
CITY OF HOLLY HILL Mayor Chris Via, Imagination Library. Holly Hill schools have the lowest third-grade reading scores in Volusia County and are ranked in the fifth percentile statewide. Holly Hill’s solution is early enrollment of children in a free book program. This funding will support children living in Holly Hill, ages birth to 5 years old, who are enrolled in the Volusia Imagination Library, which is facilitated by The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties (ELCFV). This program is free to participants and fully funded by ELCFV. When a child enrolls in the program at birth, they’ll have a library of 60 books by the time they graduate from the program at age 5. Funding for the Imagination Library is constrained to fundraising efforts through individuals and support from charitable foundations. Volusia Imagination Library Champions and committee members help sustain the program by supporting fundraising events and community advocacy for the program and mission.
54
QUALITY CITIES | MEMBERSHIP 2023
PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES
JAMESTEOHART/ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGESPLUS/GETTY IMAGES
FLORIDA CITIES
