Funding requests from Main Street Washington, the Washington Chamber of Commerce, and Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG) were approved at last night’s special session of the Washington City Council. The council unanimously approved $15,000 each for Main Street Washington and the Chamber.

Regarding WEDG, councilman Bob Shellmyer suggested reducing the organization’s funding by $6,000 and reallocating the money. Shellmyer said $2,000 more could go to the Chamber, $1,000 to the community band, $1,000 to the library, $1,000 to the cemeteries and $1,000 to the parks.

City Administrator Brent Hinson spoke in favor of maintaining WEDG’s $21,000 in funding, and cited the biodiesel plant that director Ed Raber helped establish in Washington. That one project created $4.7 million in tax base and Hinson estimated $75,000 each year to the city.

The council approved the WEDG funding on a 5 to 1 vote.