$100,000 Budgeted for Discover Lansdale in 2014

Of the many things planned as expenditures in the Lansdale Borough 2014 budget--which is available for public viewing online and at the temporary borough administrative offices on West Ninth Street prior to the Dec. 18 adoption of council--one such earmarked item is $100,000 for the nonprofit Discover Lansdale.
"Council determined the borough would help with its startup and lessen the amount it was getting every year," said borough Manager Timi Kirchner at last week's council meeting.
The goal was for Discover Lansdale to be self-sufficient by 2016, with no more borough contributions. A challenge proposed by council President Matt West in January 2012 was for the nonprofit to be kickstarted with funding from Lansdale, but Main Street businesses must invest $25,000 toward the nonprofit in a year. By September 2012, the nonprofit met and doubled that goal.
Borough contributions began in 2012 with $150,000, and have decreased each year in the budget by $25,000.
Councilman Rich DiGregorio Jr. last week had asked council Vice President Mary Fuller--who sits as chairwoman of the nonprofit--how much was left in Discover Lansdale's books. He estimated more than $300,000 had been given to the organization thus far.
"That's a lot of money," he said. "I was hoping maybe they would be self-sufficient this coming year with the success that it's been."
Kirchner asked Fuller for the nonprofit to appear next month and report on its success.
"It's good to ask Discover Lansdale to attend the next Administration and Finance Committee meeting and do a presentation on what they've been spending money on," said Kirchner. "The borough manager was ex-officio on that board. I know there is a monthly treasurer's report and I know that that money is largely dedicated to paying the expenses of the events."
Kirchner said Discover Lansdale spends most of its funds on events like First Friday and Founders Day.
"They do do significant fundraising to underwrite the cost of Founders Day," she said. 
Councilman Dan Dunigan, who chairs the committee, said he would readily report details of Discover Lansdale's presentation to all of council at the work session Dec. 4.
Furthermore, at Tuesday's town hall session, Fuller, who moderates the town hall in her capacity as Economic Development Committee chairwoman, said Discover Lansdale also receives funds from sponsorships.
"We have a business plan. Our plan of action is to take the next step and get on board for volunteers to run things," she said Tuesday. "Events like First Friday, that people enjoy a lot, bring in some money, but not enough to cover the event."
She said Discover Lansdale's events are great for the community.
"But they are loss leaders in a marketing sense," she said.