The County of Simcoe is now accepting applications for its 2021 Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant Program. Grants will be awarded to qualified organizations that cultivate collaborations to develop tourism, culture and sport programs and initiatives.
“County Council is committed to supporting the outstanding tourism, culture and sports sector in Simcoe County, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year,” said Warden George Cornell. “Our region is brimming with local talent, entrepreneurs and organizations that continue to struggle through these challenging times. That is why this year, Council has made the decision to double our allocation for the 2021 Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant – in order to assist local residents and businesses to continue to thrive, enhance our local communities and grow regional tourism.”
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. 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.
Through this grant program, the County will support and enhance 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
Interested applicants are asked to submit their forms by Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Applications will be accepted for photo and/or video production, storytelling, product and/or experience development, marketing, event enhancement, operator engagement, capacity-building activities, cycling infrastructure and tourism wayfinding signage.
All applications will be reviewed by the County of Simcoe’s Grant Program Task Force, consisting of appointed County Councillors with support from County staff. The grant program will provide up to $600,000 in funding, which will be divided among successful candidates based on program requirements, objectives and overall benefit to the entire region.
Details and application guidelines can be found at www.experience.simcoe.ca/resources. Potential applicants can contact the County’s Tourism staff via email, at tourism@simcoe.ca with questions.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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CONTACT
Chris Hedley
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-715-7654 (mobile)
Chris.Hedley@simcoe.ca
Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca