Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson came to Norfolk County council chambers to announce a $116,050 cost-sharing provincial grant aimed at revitalizing and sustaining the local economy. From left are Norfolk Councillors Doug Brunton, Mike Columbus, Linda Vandendriessche, Adam Veri, MPP Lisa Thompson, Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, and Councillors Alan Duthie and Chris Van Paassen. Not in the photo, Councillors Kim Huffman and Tom Masschaele.
By Advocate Staff
Norfolk County has secured funding through the 2024 Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.
On Nov. 28, Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson came to Norfolk County council chambers to announce a $116,050 provincial grant aimed at revitalizing and sustaining the local economy. The provincial grant will be matched by Norfolk County, resulting in a $232,100 investment.
“It is my privilege and honour to welcome Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, to Norfolk County council chambers for a very, very exciting announcement for our community today,” said Mayor Amy Martin.
“It’s great to be back in Norfolk County,” said Thompson, Huron-Bruce MPP, who was in Simcoe for the Norfolk County Fair. “There’s so many different ways Norfolk leads by example, and as Minister of Rural Affairs, which is synonymous with rural economic development, it’s a real pleasure to be back here to share some good news with everyone.
“Today, I am very pleased to announce that our government will be investing $116,050 into the region of Norfolk,” said MPP Thompson, describing it as a ‘forward-focused’ project that will help Norfolk communities take a look at what is working well, recognize challenges, figure out how it can grow and support its businesses, and embrace those new to Norfolk.
“This project is really, really important when we take a look at how we grow forward together and demonstrate that Norfolk County is a special area in Ontario that people can be proud to work, play and call home,” said Thompson.
“Rural economic development is the cornerstone of Norfolk County’s future, driving innovation, resilience, and opportunity in our community,” said Martin in a media release. “With this RED grant, we’re investing directly in the businesses and workers who power our economy, ensuring Norfolk remains a thriving and competitive place to live and work.”
“This is an amazing announcement for our community, for our council, for our small businesses to share in,” said Martin.
“Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) is our boots-on-the-ground approach to economic development,” said John Regan, Director Economic Development in the media release. “By listening directly to our businesses, we gain actionable insights that deliver the best return on investment for our community. This grant empowers us to turn those insights into meaningful solutions that support local growth and prosperity.”
The grant will support the County’s ‘Future Ready Norfolk’ initiative, a comprehensive program designed to revitalize and sustain the local economy. The initiative includes:
- Business Retention and Expansion: Engaging with local businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and retail to identify challenges, opportunities, and solutions.
- Quality of Life for Workers Study: Investigating critical factors like housing, transit, healthcare, and recreational amenities to enhance worker retention and attract new talent.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Promoting DEI awareness and training within the local business community and supporting equitable access to resources for underrepresented communities.
- New to Norfolk: Providing information, tools, and connections to newcomers to support their integration into the community and local workforce, including a comprehensive web portal for community resources.
Martin said she anticipates the ‘Future Ready Norfolk’ initiative will help create an “economic powerhouse” to supercharge the community’s growth and resilience.
“This isn’t just funding. The government isn’t just saying, ‘Here’s some dollars,’ they are saying ‘Here’s a catalyst, Norfolk we believe in you.’
“The ‘Future Ready Norfolk’ is our blueprint for a thriving economy here at home. It’s about ensuring that our businesses can grow, and that our workers stay and our community truly shines, and it will help local businesses overcome challenges to rolling out the welcome mat for new talent. We are future proofing Norfolk with bold ideas and collaboration. By 2026 we will see new jobs, new businesses, stronger businesses, and a community that isn’t just surviving, but thriving.”
For more information, visit norfolkbusiness.ca .
Comments