As a local artist and resident of Peterborough, I've witnessed firsthand the significant role our arts and community organizations play in the daily life of our citizens. They serve as the heartbeat of our community, providing meaningful exchanges, fostering creativity, and crucially, contributing to our local economy. With a proposed 25% reduction in municipal funding, approximately 75 tradition-rich, empowered, and vital organizations in our city will be severely affected, diminishing their contributions to our community. 

Our community organizations have always played an essential role in enriching Peterborough, and this 25% budget cut signals a harmful dismissal of their value and diminishing of our cultural foundation. Yet, it should be noted - these organizations aren't just important for cultural reasons. Economically, they provide substantial revenue to our city. Their funding is largely an investment that gives back much more. Studies show that for every dollar invested in these organizations, $25 is returned to the local economy. That's a seriously good return.

I challenge and urge our local government to not just stop these proposed reductions but consider increasing the funding. Greater investments in our arts and community organizations will yield greater returns for our city both financially and culturally, fostering a vibrant, dynamic, and prosperous Peterborough. 

We must not devalue what makes Peterborough a rich place to live, work, and grow. So join us in persuading our local government to reject these proposed budget cuts and instead invest in strengthening the arts and the community organizations that make this city thrive. Please sign this petition.