FedDev Ontario supports 45 projects in Barrie and surrounding Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties to attract visitors and enhance public spaces
Barrie and the surrounding communities of Bruce, Grey and Simcoe attract millions of visitors each year to the area's four-season tourist attractions, which is why investing in tourism and welcoming public spaces is so important. With investments from the Government of Canada, communities are working to rebound from the pandemic and position themselves for a strong future.
Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a total investment of nearly $14 million for 45 projects in Barrie and surrounding Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties. These investments, through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) and the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), will enhance tourism attractions to welcome more visitors, and improve public spaces to build stronger communities. Together, these investments will create jobs, grow local economies and provide accessible, public community spaces for all to enjoy.
The announcement took place at the Peggy Hill Team Community Centre and was hosted by the Corporation of the City of Barrie, which received an investment of $110,000 to partner with Tourism Barrie to create a Sport Tourism Strategy, which will provide essential information and recommendations to attract sports events to the city.
The City of Barrie also received aninvestment of more than $1.4 million to revitalize and construct play courts and playgrounds; install new energy-efficient lighting throughout the city; rehabilitate the landscape at John Edwin Coupe Park; and renew the streetscaping around the Barrie Public Library in the downtown core.
Also highlighted during the announcement was Hardwood Ski and Bike Inc., in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, which received an contribution of up to $100,000 to purchase and retrofit a modular trailer with industrial kitchen equipment. This investment will help to create a full-service food facility that will enhance the visitor experience at the resort.
