February 3, 2023 - In this issue:

Mayor's Message

ARPA Community Event Grants Launched!

Black History Kingston Kick-off Event Tomorrow

City of Kingston to Host Artist Talk on February 9

ARPA Small Business Grant Program Reminder

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

MAD First Saturday - Tomorrow!

Mayor's Message:


Dear Friends -


Next week, there will be several parking restrictions in place for a film shoot happening in Downtown Kingston. From Monday to Saturday, there will be rolling parking rules affecting many of the streets and parking lots downtown. More details and a contact for the production team can be found here.


We were honored to start off Black History Month with a community breakfast at City Hall on Wednesday. The organizers of Black History Kingston have a wonderful line-up of festivities all month long. Hope to see you at one or more of these great community events!


-Steve

Kingston Community Events Grant Program

Today, the City of Kingston launched the 2023 Community Events Grant Program, which is made possible with Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The City has allocated $375,000 to support local events as part of our city-wide pandemic recovery efforts.


Nonprofit groups and businesses located within City limits are eligible to apply for up to five events per year at up to $5,000 per event — for a total of up to $25,000 per organization. Events must be free and open to the public and either have previously taken place prior to 2020, or if new, not duplicate pre-existing events and focus primarily on youth and families as the target audience. Overall preference will be shown to applications for events that focus primarily on youth and families as well as those that draw audiences from diverse backgrounds.


Funding is available for events taking place February through the end of December 2023. Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Friday, February 3, 2023, through Friday, November 1, 2023. The last eligible event date is December 31, 2023.


More information, a list of eligible expenses, and the application can be found at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-community-events-grant-program

Black History Month Kickoff Party - Tomorrow!

The Black History Kingston festivities will officially kick off tomorrow at the Kingston YMCA from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.


Enjoy a day of celebration for the entire family with performances, a MyKingstonKids dance party, African dance, poetry, singing, activities, vendors, special appearances, and more. The event will be hosted by Ubaka Hill, and will include a special appearance by the Drumsong Orchestra.

City of Kingston to Host Artist Talk

As part of Black History Month, the City of Kingston will host an artist talk, Artist Expressions: Looking Back on Kingston Revealed on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 6:30pm. The event will feature an in-depth conversation among some of Kingston’s leading contemporary artists who participated in the landmark exhibition Kingston Revealed at City Hall, which will remain on display on the ground floor through the end of February.

 

Artists whose artworks are on display in the Kingston Revealed exhibition will share the stories behind their work and provide insight into their practices. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

 

For the full schedule of Black History Kingston events, please visit: http://blackhistorymonthkingston.org/

ARPA Small Business Grant Program

Last week, the City of Kingston launched the first of its ARPA grant programs, the Small Business Grant Program. The City has allocated $1,000,000 of its $17.3 million ARPA award to aid local businesses in responding to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. 


Grant awards of up to $10,000 each will help businesses keep their doors open, protect local jobs threatened by the pandemic, support community recovery, and increase resiliency.  


The grant application is due Friday, March 17, 2023. Further details and the application are available at Engage Kingston

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Mayor Noble hosts a weekly radio show on Tuesdays at 5:00pm which airs live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.


This week, Mayor Noble spoke with Black History Kingston founders Tyrone Wilson and Frank Waters about this year's month of events. Click below to hear their conversation.

Midtown Arts District Kingston First Saturday - Tomorrow!

Kingston 311
The Kingston 311 app, website and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations.

This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us. 
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
Facebook  Twitter