It’s the seventh-inning stretch and not much time remains for
the City of Hollister and the firm officials hired almost two years
ago to secure a guaranteed $500,000 in grant monies by
November.
It’s the seventh-inning stretch and not much time remains for the City of Hollister and the firm officials hired almost two years ago to secure a guaranteed $500,000 in grant monies by November.
Yes, the state budget is in shambles, the economy has been hit hard and funds are difficult to come by, anywhere, but …
Since November 2001, when Hollister hired Randall Funding and Development to secure grants for the city, only a little more than eight months remain on the original 24-month contract, and currently, the firm has nothing to show Hollister officials. Not a good linescore.
In fact, the city is behind. It paid the firm $20,000 up front and pays another $4,000 per month for RFD’s services. Some satisfaction can be taken, however. Since December, after the city met with the firm about not being satisfied with its performance, RFD waived the monthly fee – until next month.
Despite the lack of funds generated thus far, both sides say they are on good working terms, and RFD has told the city not to panic, that it was confident it would secure more than the promised amount. But the count is 0-2, and it doesn’t look good.
From the start of the contract in November 2001 through March 11 of this year, the firm had sought 11 grants.
Out of those, four were terminated, including one that wasn’t available; two weren’t funded; three are in progress and only two are pending.
The two grants that weren’t funded totaled $390,000 in money sought, and RFD had requested only a total of $429,444 in grant money through March 11.
The numbers don’t look good, and time is running out. The firm guaranteed $500,000 in grant monies during a two-year contract. Common sense dictates that by this point in time at least $1 million in grant money should have been requested instead of the current $429,444 because no one will go perfect at the plate.
There is time remaining, until November, and everyone loves late-inning rallies. But, in this case, it doesn’t appear likely.
