Festival Requests Funding Extension

Backers of the Chamber Music Festival have asked the city to continue funding the event despite an earlier agreement that the festival support itself by 2001.

At its Monday meeting, the City Council approved a grant of $103,000--the last in a four-year funding cycle that started in 1997. At the time, festival supporters figured the operation would be self-sufficient by 2001, but Monday council members learned that is unlikely. Continued funding is “ a good investment of city dollars,” said Zoe Taylor, Chamber of Commerce president and festival board member. “Please help us out for a few more years and we’ll make it an even better event.”

Since 1997, the city has given the festival more than $430,000. The city also helps with staff and marketing efforts. The Chamber Music Festival Assn. matches those funds annually.