ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
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VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN |
All interested persons are invited to attend a Virtual Open House to learn about the Draft Community Improvement Plan for the communities of Bala and Port Carling. Members of the project team from the Township and their consulting team will provide a presentation, followed by a conversation.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.
A copy of the Draft Community Improvement Plan can be found on the Township’s community engagement platform at www.engagemuskokalakes.ca.
Due to the virtual format, registration (RSVP) is required to attend the open house. To register, please visit www.engagemuskokalakes.ca to access the registration page, where you must sign-up to participate. You will be able to join the Public Open Houses via a computer or via telephone.
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PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN SURVEY |
The Township of Muskoka Lakes is developing a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Master plan will help determine requirements for parks, trails, recreation and sports facilities and services in the Township for the next 10 years.
We would like to hear from you! We invite all residents who use Township’s parks, recreation, sports, and community facilities to participate in this Survey to inform the development of the Master Plan.
Survey closes October 13, 2021.
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Comprehensive Zoning By-law Amendment 2021-116
Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA-36/21 (By-law 2021-116) has been initiated by the Township to amend Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2014-14. More specifically, to amend existing provisions pertaining to legal non-complying lots, buildings and structures, ...
Read more
engagemuskokalakes.ca
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NEW REGIONAL TOURISM JOB BANK |
To help regional tourism businesses attract employees and to fill immediate gaps in the labour market, RTO12 (Explorers' Edge) has created a Job Bank. Launching the week of September 27, the job bank will be promoted through social media content marketing to hyper local, domestic and scholastic target markets.
If you are a tourism business with job vacancies, please click on the link below to post your positions. Posts will not be automatically generated; a notification will be sent to RTO12 staff to approve the post, to ensure the information is complete. You can find current listings here.
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THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY |
Explorers' Edge hosts tourism sustainability expert Angela Nagy, President & CEO of GreenStep Sustainable Tourism, to share insights on how sustainability makes good business sense for tourism properties.
Additionally, RTO12 will partner with select businesses that participate in the session to work with the GreenStep team on their "Sustainable Lens Assessment" ($100 Cdn value, funded by the RTO). RTO12 will also partner with up to five tourism properties to help you achieve "Sustainability Certification" ($800-$1800/year Cdn value depending on property size). The properties that participate in the certification process will also act as case studies to help other tourism operators understand what's involved in and what the benefits are of implementing sustainability practices.
When: October 20, 2021, 1-2:30pm via Zoom
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ONTARIO TOURISM RECOVERY PROGRAM |
The Ontario government is investing $100 million through the new Tourism Recovery Program to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19. The program will help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs in communities across the province and help them prepare to reopen and safely welcome back visitors.
As part of the OTRP eligibility criteria, applicants must have experienced eligible revenue decline of at least 50% in the reported 2020–2021 year (COVID impact year), compared to fiscal year-end 2019 (pre-COVID baseline year).
The program’s funding formula uses a percentage of qualifying revenue losses and salary and wage expenditures to determine the maximum potential award amount.
Full program details, eligibility and application requirements will be available on October 13, 2021.
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FEDNOR TOURISM RELIEF FUND |
The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such as:
- businesses;
- not-for-profit organizations, such as tourism associations; and
- band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.
For more details and eligibility requirements, please review the guidelines.
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FEDNOR JOBS & GROWTH FUND |
The Jobs and Growth Fund provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth.
Who can apply?
- Businesses, including co-operatives.
- Not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners.
- Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Under the initiative, FedNor may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous clients.
For more details and eligibility requirements, please review the application guide.
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MUSKOKA COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM |
Pay It Forward Community Investment Grant Program has been available to Grassroots Muskoka Community Groups since 2012 and offers grants of up to $2,500. Grants are awarded to projects that fill a strategic need in the community, enhance community support and leadership, and create positive change.
Community Enhancement Fund is available to Non-Profit Community Organizations. The program will offer grants up to $10,000. Grants will be awarded to groups that address poverty reduction; food security; housing and living conditions; education and training opportunities; volunteer and job development; and citizen engagement.
Application Deadline: October 27, 2021, at 4:00pm
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SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT |
For more information or questions, please contact SMDHU:
Phone - 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520).
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COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT RESOURCES |
The Township continues to update business support programs and resources on our website as they are announced. Need help navigating the various programs and resources available?
Contact: Corey Moore, Communications & Economic Development Specialist, cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
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Corey Moore
Communications & Economic Development Specialist
Township of Muskoka Lakes
705-765-3156
cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
www.muskokalakes.ca
Please feel free to share this information.
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