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County announces recipients of Tourism, Culture and Sports Enhancement Funding

April 28, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The County of Simcoe has approved 87 applications totalling more than $485,000 to organizations in the region through the 2022 Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund.

The program aims to enhance existing tourism, culture and sport projects throughout the County.

During 2022, the County received 106 applications requesting more than $1.1 million in financial support.

The original funding envelope was $300,000; however, unspent funds from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic were pulled from reserves and used to cover the additional amount.

“In spite of the challenges that it faced during COVID, Simcoe County has a strong tourism, culture and sports sector that plays a huge role in our local economy and labour market,” said County Warden George Cornell. “As we build towards our recovery, County Council was very supportive of boosting this year’s Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund to support 87 local businesses with almost half a million dollars in total funding.”

Locally, recipients of funding include: The Alliston Potato Festival, Beeton Tottenham Business Improvement Association, Beeton and District Agricultural Society, Central Ontario ATV Club, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park, Gibson Cultural Centre, Museum on the Boyne, the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation, and Tottenham & Beeton District Chamber of Commerce.

The Gibson Centre in Alliston will use the funds to enhance a collaborative event with the TecWeGwill Women’s Institute to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. The event will feature an afternoon tea on Sunday, May 29.

“We are excited to partner with TecWeGwill Women’s Institute to celebrate the historical occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee,” said Jennifer Fortin, Executive Director at the Gibson Centre. “The funds will support an authentic experience with live music, entertainment and a retrospective look at Her Majesty’s reign. We are grateful to the County as their support will provide accessibility for all those wishing to attend.”

The program is designed to invest in initiatives that promote awareness, access, participation and appreciation of the diverse tourism, culture and sport offerings within the County, and enhance the visitor experience by supporting innovative and accessible programming.

It also encourages industry collaboration and partnerships, and builds organizational capacity in tourism, culture and sports organizations.

By Brian Lockhart

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