Howard could face $26.4 million in state funding cuts, hitting programs such as open space, arts grants and substance-abuse outreach.
“I hope the folks in Annapolis will not pass along drastic cuts to local jurisdictions to invest in their quality of life locally,” said County Executive Ken Ulman, referring to Gov. Martin O?Malley?s “doomsday” cuts in local aid to address the state?s 1.7 billion budget deficit.
Ulman called it a “simple choice”: The governor and state legislators can come together on a budget solution or make cuts.
Among the proposed cuts is $16.2 million for arts councils statewide, including $286,082 for the Howard County Arts Council.
This could have a “chilling effect” on the organization?s efforts to support local arts, because these grants support the council?s administrative expenses, which foundations are less inclined to fund than individual arts programs, said Coleen West, executive director of the Howard County Arts Council.
“Few funders support arts groups to keep the lights on. These [funds] are supporting our operations,” she said.
Groups such as the Columbia Festival for the Arts and Columbia Orchestra could get hit by these funding cuts, because the Arts Council distributes local grants from state funding, West said.
For many nonprofits, grant funding is never a guarantee, and many have been bracing for cuts.
“I think you always have to have a Plan B in alternative funding sources,” said Rachelina Bonacci, executive director of the Howard County Tourism Inc., adding the group relies on corporate partnerships.
The nonprofit tourism organization could see a cut in a marketing grant from the state tourism board under O?Malley?s proposal.
A corporate partnership with Verizon became a crucial lifeline for the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County.
Executive Director Jodi Finkelstein said recently that organizations must seek new funding sources.
“We need to be innovative in how we get our dollars,” she said.
BY THE NUMBERS
Proposed cuts to Howard
» Total impact: $26.4 million
» Program Open Space: $3.6 million
» Local health: $228,813
» Substance abuse programs: $352,922
» Tourism board: $42,919
» Arts council: $286,082
Source: Gov. Martin O?Malley
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