(KNZA)--Two groups promoting economic development are seeking continued financial support from the city of Hiawatha.

Representatives of the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and the Northeast Kansas Enterprise Faciliation Program were on hand at Monday's City Commission meeting to present their 2015 funding requests.

HFED is requesting $35,000, which is the same amount the organization received from the city for 2014.

HFED Treasurer Marianne Schmitt said funding for their 2015 budget is projected to come from three sources.  That includes 39 percent from the city, 31 percent from HFED and 30 percent from the county.   In part, HFED's portion comes from membership dues.

Schmitt said HFED is committed to funding the third year of advertising on three area billboards promoting the city’s lodging facilities in the amount of $7,800, under an agreement with the city.

Meanwhile, Theresa McAnerney with the Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation program presented her organization’s annual report and 2015 funding request.

The program, which is in it’s 12th year, provides free and confidential business coaching to clients in 5 area counties—including Brown.  So far, McAnerney said they’ve helped 927 total clients—including 223 from Brown County, with more than 180 of those from the Hiawatha area.

Since the program began, McAnerney said 390 new jobs have been created or retained in their five county service area.

She requested $2,625 in funding from the city for 2015, the same amount as what was approved for this year.

The commission took no action on either funding request.   Mayor Crosby Gernon said both will be taken into consideration as work continues on preparing a 2015 budget for publication.