Overview

From January 23 to February 23, 2023, the Rural Economic Development (RED) program approved the following 80 projects.

Central region

City of Pickering

The City of Pickering will establish a small business resource hub to better serve the existing small/local business community and service new entrepreneurs planning to start up in the community by offering knowledge, resources and support.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $7,568

Corporation of the Town of Huntsville

The Town of Huntsville will rehabilitate the following at the Muskoka Heritage Place:

  • replacement of Spence Inn porch
  • fiberboard tile ceiling replacement
  • new LED lighting
  • Sugar Shack structural restoration
  • open-air structure replacement

Provincial share of project funding: up to $37,900

County of Simcoe

The County of Simcoe, along with the Cities of Barrie and Orillia, will undertake a multifaceted project to increase their ability and capacity to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment through training, marketing and investor relations.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $66,600

Durham Region Federation of Agriculture

Durham Region Federation of Agriculture and Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association will collaborate jointly on a project to meet capacity challenges in delivering programs by hiring a program coordinator and defray other project related costs such as:

  • marketing and outreach activities
  • culinary programming
  • hosting public events
  • costs associated with recruitment and training

Provincial share of project funding: up to $105,263

Friends of the Utopia Mill & Park

Friends of the Utopia Mill & Park will reinstall siding tiles on Bell's Gristmill.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $9,100

Town of Bracebridge

The Town of Bracebridge will rehabilitate the Woodchester, which is one of the few remaining local heritage/cultural buildings in town. Rehabilitation includes structurally reinforcing the main entryway and assessing/replacing the porch and mudroom.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $48,100

Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will develop a series of 20 videos documenting construction of 2 new manufacturing facilities to profile local manufacturers and will serve as a recruitment tool for skilled tradespeople.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $55,733

Town of Caledon

The Town of Caledon will implement and install various pieces of infrastructure throughout Caledon's villages to beautify and enhance public spaces, improving the visitor and resident experience in and near the commercial core areas.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $117,274

Town of Georgina

The Town of Georgina will expand its Yspace entrepreneurship hub.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $150,000

Town of New Tecumseth

The Town of New Tecumseth will conduct a retail gap analysis and develop and implement a marketing plan to support the downtowns of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $30,000

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

The Town of Whitechurch-Stouffville will restore the Bogarttown Schoolhouse to better reflect its history and make more space for learning, exhibition, cultural and economic activities.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $30,100

Township of Brock

The Township of Brock will procure services of a consultant to update its Community Improvement Plan and implement marketing and promotional activities on policies and programs for key business sectors in 3 downtown areas.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $37,539

Township of Muskoka Lakes

The Township of Muskoka Lakes will implement a beautification project that will allow for 10 more sets of Muskoka chairs and 10 more waste receptacles to be purchased and placed throughout the downtowns.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $13,500

Township of Severn

The Township of Severn will conduct a Business Retention and Expansion project that consists of 4 phases:

  1. collection of business and market data
  2. analysis of results
  3. creation of a short-term action plan and a long-term strategy
  4. implementation of the short-term actions

Provincial share of project funding: up to $25,000

Township of Uxbridge

The Township of Uxbridge will hire a downtown coordinator, create marketing and promotional materials to support the downtown and farmers' market, support a series of events, and enhance weekend access to the Tourism Information Centre and track weekend library traffic to assess future needs.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $34,000

East region

Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle

The Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle will widen the bay doors at its current facilities and repair an interior balcony to enable the organization to run a training program for building modular homes.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $19,366

Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board

The Bay of Quinte will develop and implement a business and marketing plan for regional partners to increase shoulder season activities and improve tourism experiences.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $150,000

City of Pembroke

The City of Pembroke will conduct a Business Retention and Expansion study through interviews and surveys with local manufacturing businesses and independent entrepreneurs to identify the needs of existing businesses.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $13,485

City of Quinte West

The City of Quinte West will update and refine its current commercial Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and create a program to include options for the tourism sector.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $25,000

Cornwall and The Counties Community Futures Development Corporation

Cornwall and The Counties Community Futures Development Corporation will implement a business succession planning program.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $19,700

Corporation of the County of Renfrew

The County of Renfrew will rehabilitate a 1-kilometre and a 200-metre section of the K&P Recreational Trail in The Township of Admaston/Bromley.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $8,833

Corporation of the Town of Arnprior

The Town of Arnprior will conduct a Business Retention and Expansion study to identify issues and challenges businesses are facing and identify opportunities to eliminate, reduce or mitigate these issues.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $30,000

County of Hastings

Hastings County will conduct a regional business attraction program to lure new businesses to vacant buildings and promote existing businesses for sale through a multi-faceted marketing program.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $25,000

Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation

In collaboration with the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation will procure a project coordinator and 2 training consultants and carry out training and marketing activities to help producers build capacity, increase local food supply, create a wholesale food market and find buyers to purchase larger quantities of local food.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $59,768

Haliburton County Development Corporation

Haliburton County Development Corporation will establish a Business Hub with offices for rent, an open space for venture and hot desk rentals and a large meeting room for workshops and other business community uses.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $33,700

Innovation Cluster – Peterborough and the Kawarthas (ICPK)

The ICPK will launch a new program to support technology and innovation entrepreneurs.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $73,750

Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre

The Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre will retrofit an underutilized building into a by-the-hour rental commercial kitchen facility.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $43,591

Lanark County

Lanark County will launch a rural community inclusion pilot project that brings together community organizations, agencies, municipalities and businesses to address and mitigate identified rural employment challenges.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $131,719

Lil B.I.R.D

Lil B.I.R.D will be delivering in person events and workshops for independently owned businesses to provide business support and guidance for success.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $148,500

Pinnguaq Association

Pinnguaq Association will redevelop its newly purchased headquarters to include a makerspace and space for rental offices as a collaborative hub for Lindsay-based businesses.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $176,030

Township of Alnwick/Haldimand

The Township of Alnwick/Haldimand will repair the Wicklow replica church (that includes new doors, windows and siding) to protect the integrity of the church and prevent further damage.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $16,600

Town of Gananoque

The Town of Gananoque will develop and implement initiatives to attract and retain workers through the hiring of a project coordinator, as well as hosting employment events and other job promotional activities.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $21,700

Township of South Frontenac

Township of South Frontenac will develop and install wayfinding signage and update existing town signage.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $240,000

Township of South Glengarry

The Township of South Glengarry will implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system to improve business retention and expansion.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $9,888

Tweed & Company Theatre

The Tweed & Company Theatre will rehabilitate the Marble Arts Centre and conduct a balcony feasibility study.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $66,433

Northeast region

City of Elliot Lake

The City of Elliot Lake will implement an eco- and geo-tourism strategy to promote local tourism to a broader market throughout Canada.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $16,176

Indigenous Tourism Association of Ontario

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Ontario will hire a coordinator/lead and defray other project and third party related administrative costs in a project that involves collaborating with First Nations, rural communities and municipalities to implement a workforce development action plan that will train youth and adults for Indigenous tourism opportunities.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $75,000

Municipality of Wawa

The Municipality of Wawa will update its Downtown Wawa CIP (2008) to better reflect current private sector needs. The project will also update the CIP financial incentives application process, create a web page and application forms and a marketing campaign to promote the CIP to building/property owners.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $60,500

Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers

Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers will erect cultural heritage pole banners within the township, specifically featuring local veterans, to promote culture and community engagement.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $2,566

Northwest region

City of Kenora

City of Kenora will implement priorities of the 2023-2025 Winter City Workplan through the delivery of winter streetscaping elements to include seasonal street pole banners and holiday lighting features in the Harbourtown Centre.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $11,753

West region

Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation

Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation ran a “Hawk’s Nest” investment competition and training sessions for regional entrepreneurs and youth.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $14,522

City of Sarnia

The City of Sarnia will implement a two-year downtown revitalization program to promote downtown Sarnia and Mitton Village through marketing, providing business development services, and identifying opportunities for physical improvements to streetscapes and public spaces.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $116,211

Corporation of the City of Thorold

The City of Thorold will upgrade the Lock 7 Viewing Centre at the Welland Canal. This includes new doors, security camera and repairs to the exterior stucco.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $23,500

Corporation of the Township of Mulmur

Mulmur Township will develop a four-part business and economic development promotional video series. This series will feature and bring recognition to local businesses that promote and highlight the goods and services they have to offer, encouraging Mulmur residents to buy locally while providing education on the services offered in their area.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $4,200

County of Elgin

Elgin County will enhance their online presence through a redevelopment of their corporate and tourism websites to increase communication and engagement with residents and streamline core business processes.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $50,000

County of Grey

Grey County will purchase a computer numerical control (CNC) machine and make the required electrical updates to its Maker Space at Sydenham Campus.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $48,500

County of Huron

The County of Huron will deliver succession planning workshops and tools to support agri-business retention.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $19,962

County of Wellington

The County of Wellington will hire a downtown revitalization coordinator to facilitate downtown revitalization efforts in the 7 Wellington County communities and develop a campaign highlighting businesses and destinations in each community.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $58,000

Downtown Tillsonburg Business Improvement Area (BIA)

Downtown Tillsonburg BIA will renew public realm assets towards the downtown core area of Tillsonburg, providing an opportunity to correct deficiencies with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) compliance and the pop-up patio program.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $40,698

Drayton Entertainment

Drayton Entertainment will rehabilitate the Drayton Festival Theatre auditorium with LED stage lighting in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $49,403

Municipality of Bluewater

The Municipality of Bluewater will update the existing Heritage Conservation District Plan and create a digital resource to communicate this information to members of the public and assist landowners as they navigate the heritage approvals process.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $50,000

Municipality of Huron East

Huron East will create a digital campaign to attract investment through social media platforms, the website and partner channels. Footage and photographs from across Huron East will be captured to highlight amenities, services and businesses that exist as well as the natural landscape.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $5,274

Municipality of Kincardine

The Municipality of Kincardine will revitalize the downtown streetscape. The new streetscape will include:

  • new trees in movable planters
  • more street furniture
  • refurbished light posts
  • garbage receptacles
  • bike racks
  • new banners
  • public art
  • a wireless speaker system

Provincial share of project funding: up to $129,000

Municipality of North Perth

The Municipality of North Perth will establish a concierge service and advisory forum to support business growth and investment.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $136,799

Norfolk County

Norfolk County will develop a marketing program to raise awareness and support local tourism businesses by enhancing in-season and shoulder season travel to the Norfolk region and will promote a new tourism app and redesign of the tourism website.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $86,156

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority will create new interacting exhibits (as well as display cases) regarding the Twenty Mile Creek, the Carolinian Forest, the Niagara Escarpment, and the Indigenous cultural history at the Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $31,000

Nuclear Innovation Institute

The Clean Energy Frontier program will implement a collaborative marketing and outreach campaign to increase awareness of the clean energy cluster and the economic impact this sector provides to Bruce, Grey and Huron counties and indigenous communities in Ontario.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $69,250.00

Rural Ontario Institute

The Rural Ontario Institute will expand the collection and distribution of rural Ontario affordable housing data.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $150,000

The Corporation of the County of Middlesex

Middlesex County will implement a workforce accessibility youth strategy to match skilled youth with employers.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $59,700

Three Fires Group

The Three Fires Group will develop environmental monitoring and training capacity to promote infrastructure development and attract/retain skilled labour within the community.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $121,026

Town of Amherstburg

The Town of Amherstburg will develop a business retention and expansion study to learn about the challenges and opportunities the business community faces across all industry sectors.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $50,000

Town of Goderich

The Town of Goderich will create and implement a signage plan that will allow for consistency in wayfinding signage. The proposed project enhancements will build upon the town brand and build a system that informs and directs visitors and residents to the town’s cultural, historical and recreational amenities, supporting community businesses and services.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $24,000

Town of Hanover

The Town of Hanover will rehabilitate 11 kilometres of community trails in order to provide better access and further connect and loop the existing trail system.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $64,390

Town of LaSalle

Town of LaSalle will enhance the Waterfront Event Centre, contributing to a better-connected local area and encouraging more interactions between citizens and businesses.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $42,210

Town of Minto

The Town of Minto will develop and implement a marketing campaign to help identify, target and attract businesses to Minto’s downtowns.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $20,000

Town of Tillsonburg

The Town of Tillsonburg will be pursuing engineering designs for expanded taxiways and re-zoning of the airport to plan for the implementation of a critical fire suppression system and water supply. A marketing campaign will be launched to attract commercial and industrial development and growth of the airport.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $49,675

Town of Saugeen Shores

The Town of Saugeen Shores will transition its existing Port Elgin Visitors Information Centre into a business incubation and innovation hub.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $25,600

Town of the Blue Mountains

The Town of Blue Mountains developed and implemented a new event called “Open Fields”, where the Town will partner with local growers and producers to welcome the public onto their farms for guided tours, self-picking experiences and tastings in fall 2023.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $9,250

Township of North Huron

The Township of North Huron will install new lighting and benches to revitalize Cruikshank Park and promote further local gatherings and activities.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $34,636

Township of Wellington North

The Township of Wellington North will renovate the Lynes Blacksmith Shop in order to generate tourism and economic development opportunities.

Provincial share of project funding: up to $16,600