The tourism sector in Barrie, Orillia, Simcoe and Grey counties will receive $1.2 million in funding that’s expected to support 100 businesses and maintain 225 jobs.
The money will be provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support the tourism industry’s recovery amid the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the $1.2 million, Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) is providing tourism-dependent businesses with up to $20,000 in non-repayable contributions to supports costs associated with adapting and eventually reopening, like renovations and retrofits, and the purchase of equipment, fixtures and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as support for digitization.
Get daily National news
One business that has been helped by RTO7 is Travel By Sound, which is a six-episode series of virtual concerts filmed at concert halls around Grey and Simcoe counties.
“The tourism industry is no stranger to the struggles brought on by COVID-19,” Marie-France Lalonde, the parliamentary secretary to the economic development and official languages minister, said in a statement Tuesday.
“With today’s funding announcement, FedDev Ontario is delivering targeted support to about 100 businesses to prepare for a more resilient future. This investment is ensuring that the tourism sector here in Grey and Simcoe counties, Barrie and Orillia remains strong and vibrant in the months and years to come.”
- Lions climb standings with win over Roughriders
- RCMP remind drivers to stop for school buses after two Kelowna students are struck by a vehicle
- Planned driving safety training campus in Beaumont gets $38.5M from province
- Death of pregnant woman and her baby prompts call for Saskatchewan rural health changes
-
![]()
‘We’re still getting what we need’: Greer says U.S. has no ‘urgency’ amid trade tensions with Canada -
![]()
Canada reports first annual population decline on record -
![]()
Toronto Tempo wraps inaugural WNBA season with loss in Connecticut -
![]()
Ipsos poll on Alberta referendum initiatives shows the majority plan to vote to remain
Barrie–Innisfil member of Parliament John Brassard said tourism is essential for the community’s vitality and support is needed for local businesses and their employees.
“We need to support these local businesses and the people they employ not only to recover but to thrive as they reopen their doors to visitors in a post-pandemic world,” Brassard said in a statement Tuesday.
“The tourism sector continues to demonstrate its resilience by adapting to challenges and this funding will help to maintain jobs and prepare Barrie–Innisfil businesses for a strong comeback.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.