ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER June 10, 2021 | Subscribe Now

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN PUBLIC SURVEY The Township of Muskoka Lakes contracted the Planning Partnership to create a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the communities of Bala and Port Carling. The consultants are now set to engage members of the public through surveys to let us know what they think about the early ideas for Bala and Port Carling. Feedback collected from the community will help guide and identify community priority areas/projects for revitalization in the downtown commercial cores. The short surveys will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and will be available online until June 25, 2021. Visit Engage Muskoka Lakes to learn more about Community Improvement Plan project.   Draft Early Ideas for Bala and Port Carling View PDF document   Bala Community Improvement Plan Survey Link http://metroquestsurvey.com/sl6f6i Port Carling Community Improvement Plan Survey Link http://metroquestsurvey.com/xs6m6c

HIKE THE LAKES SCAVENGER HUNT Focusing on the Township’s outdoor natural and recreational assets, the Hike the Lakes Scavenger Hunt encourages people to explore their own backyard in a self-guided and COVID-19 safe manner, and support local business while doing so. How does it work? A series of contest signs are installed on Township trails. Each sign will feature a QR Code to scan providing entry to the contest (online form). Hike the Lakes to win! 10 trails, one QR Code per trail (scavenger hunt), 10 chances to win 1 of 10 $50 gift certificates to a local business of choice. Only one entry per participant per trail. More trails visited, more chances to win. Contest winners to be drawn at end of contest and announced on social media. When? June 2 – June 30, 2021 Where? Township of Muskoka Lakes hiking trails. View Contest Details

EXPLORERS' EDGE COTTAGE COUNTRY SPIRIT LOCAL TRAVEL PACKAGE RTO 12’s “2021 Cottage Country Spirit Local Travel Package" program that was scheduled to launch earlier in the year will now launch for a Summer/Fall edition on July 2 (with redemptions occurring between July 19 and September 30). Operators who signed up to participate will receive an email from Erin Smit that includes a revised contract to sign.  This program is part of the RTO's hyper local marketing initiatives. The packages include 5 x $10 spending vouchers for participating accommodations, restaurants, attraction and shops, and is available to permanent and seasonal residents in the RTO12 region ONLY. 2,000 packages will be available starting July 2. Deadline: Businesses are asked to sign up by June 22, 2021. To participate, please read the program details and email the contract to Erin Smit at erin@explorersedge.ca.

RTO REGIONAL TOURISM SUMMIT RTO12/Explorers' Edge is hosting a virtual edition of the Regional Tourism Summit via Zoom: Featuring special guest speaker Chris Bloore, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario Launch of the 2021-2022 RTO12 Business & Operational Plan NEW: Local Lunch & Learn restaurant vouchers for the first 150 regional registrants Date: June 24, 2021, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm Registration & Agenda: 2021 Regional Tourism Summit

MUSKOKA LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Do you sell a product online, or want to sell a product online? ShopMuskokaLakes.ca is coming soon. To be featured on ShopMuskokaLakes.ca, you must be: a Member of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber; and/or operate within Muskoka Lakes or a local Muskoka Member of our region's Markets; or a Sponsor who wants to Support Local/Save Local while getting great exposure, too.  Contact norah@muskokalakeschamber.ca to learn more about the Chamber's Support Local project.

ONTARIO COVID-19 RESPONSE FRAMEWORK The Province will move into Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021. Read the news release. Refer to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for information about Operating Your Business Safely If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant - Deadline: June 25, 2021 Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) - Deadline: June 30, 2021

SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT Public Signage for Printing & Displaying: STOP You must wear a face covering at this site Guide on how to develop a workplace safety plan Risk mitigation tool for workplaces/businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic Sector-specific guidelines and posters For more information or questions, please contact SMDHU: Phone - 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520). Online - SMDHU Contact Information

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 View Covid-19 Business Support Resources

‌ ‌	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. To subscribe Click Here.