EVENT funding in the South West is set to reach new heights following record support from the state government for the South West Community Events Program.
The South West Development Commission announced last week that $150,000 would be avaliable for the program, an increase of $40,000 from last year.
South West MLC Colin Holt launched the latest round of the program in Bunbury last Friday.
The launch took place at a lunch at the Dolphin Discovery Centre who had been involved with many events.
Managing director David Kerr said they would not have been able to get any of those events off the ground if it wasn't for grants and support along the way.
He said events created a sense of vibrancy and excitement so people want to come down and enjoy the space.
"It adds to our local economy of course and creates jobs, so everything is connected and really important for what happens in this community, " Mr Kerr said.
South West Development Commisson acting CEO Patrick Warrand said the South West Community Events program had developed significantly.
The program started very small and last year they were overwhelmed with the amount of applications received, he said.
“It was fantastic to see the diversity of applications received from sporting events, to the writers festival in Margaret River to food festivals,” he said.
Mr Holt said the program was driven by a group of local passionate people who want to see and run events for their community.
This is a great opportunity for businesses which we should be supporting, he said.
"I am very fortunate because I get to travel all around the region and go to many events and I see the impact they have," Mr Holt said.
"The events like the Bridgetown Blues festival and Gourmet Escape didn't start out with 10,000 people coming along, they started because a group of passionate community members said they wanted to do something for the town.
"That's where this starts and that's why this funding is so important to instigate and facilitate a new event that might just grow into the next Bridgetown Blues Festival.
Each event can apply for a maximum of $6000 and applications opened yesterday.
Submissions should be completed online at swdc.wa.gov.au and submitted before 4pm on Tuesday October 6.
