NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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The County of Simcoe has approved 89 successful applications totalling more than $470,000 through the 2021 Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant Program to enhance existing tourism, culture and sport projects throughout the County.
“We know how anxious everyone is to get back to 'normal' as soon as it is safe, including our outstanding tourism, culture and sport sectors, which have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Warden George Cornell. “Council was pleased to roll over our 2020 funds to allow us to award 89 grants and grow local talent, entrepreneurs and organizations committed to expanding regional tourism and enhancing our local communities.”
In 2020, the County received 99 applications requesting a total of almost $1.1 million in financial support. However, due to COVID-19, in April 2020, Council voted to suspend the Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant and apply the allocated $300,000 for 2020 to the 2021 envelope, increasing the 2021 budget to $600,000. The County received 104 applications in total for 2021, requesting $628,256.64. Council approved 89 applications for funding in the amount of $ 471,396.93. The unspent funds in 2021 will be added to the 2022 funding envelope. For a list of successful applicants, visit https://experience.simcoe.ca/resources.
Through this grant program, the County supports and enhances tourism, culture and sport in Simcoe County by:
- Investing in tourism, culture and sport activities that promote awareness, access, participation and appreciation of the distinct, diverse offerings within the County of Simcoe
- Building organizational capacity in local existing and new organizations
- Encouraging collaborative opportunities and partnerships
- Contributing to the County of Simcoe’s overall economic health and sense of place
- Enhancing participants’ experiences by supporting innovative and accessible programming
The Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant Program is the result of a merger between the Simcoe County Tourism Development Fund (SCTDF) and the Arts, Culture and Heritage (Built, Natural and Environmental) Grant, and is accessible to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations within Simcoe County. For more information on the Grant program, visit https://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/fin/grants.
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