Lambton's Creative County Fund is getting a $200,000 boost thanks to a generous donation from the Cedar Point II Wind Power Project.
Starting in 2017, $50,000 per year will be invested in cultural, heritage, and arts projects across the county.
Chair Bev MacDougall says one half of the annual funding will benefit North Lambton.
"They are also very interested in supporting First Nations cultural projects throughout our community which is absolutely fantastic," says MacDougall. "First Nations culture, whether we're talking about Kettle and Stony Pt., or Aamjiwnaang or Walpole Island, we're a proud county with three first nations partners here."
Initiatives being funded in 2017 include the Three Fires Teepee Project, the Southwest International Film Festival, and a youth summer art camp in Ausable and Pt. Franks.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley expressed concern about the donation to the creative county fund.
He sent an email late Thursday saying at the very least county council should have been informed of the donation and asked for its approval prior to any announcement, given the history of the project in Lambton County.
The Cedar Point project is jointly owned by Suncor and NextEra Energy.
Since its inception in 2013, the Creative County Fund has advanced $277,355 to cultural projects in Lambton County.
