Eighty-one communities across Newfoundland and Labrador now have the funding to hire musicians and performers for Come Home year celebrations, and there are hopes the support may be extended beyond 2022.

It’s part of MusicNL’s Community Presenters Program. The $200,000 in provincial funding will provide grants to 110 groups in 81 communities across the province to arrange for musical entertainment.

Tourism Minister Steve Crocker says the grants will allow local musicians to expand throughout the province during Come Home Year, and may not be limited to a single year.

Crocker hopes that more funding will be provided to help local musicians thrive well beyond Come Home Year.