NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The final deadline to apply for the 2019 Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP) Grant Program is Oct. 31, 2019.
The City of Orillia Economic Development Department is hosting a workshop to outline grants available through this program on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Orillia City Centre in the Brooks Boardroom.
“The transformation of businesses along Mississaga Street clearly demonstrates that the DTCIP grant program is stimulating development and undoubtedly bringing new businesses and jobs to the downtown,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “One needs to look no further than the beautiful new façade construction of 27 Mississaga St. W. to see the value of this program. I look forward to seeing what this next wave of grants does for the core of our city.”
Businesses, developers and community members are encouraged to attend the workshop to learn about the grant application process, eligibility, timelines and more. Attendance at this workshop allows participants to achieve their “mandatory pre-consultation”, which is a requirement in order to be eligible for the program.
The Community Development Corporation (CDC) will also be in attendance to present information on their grant programs, as well as other support services available to local businesses.
“The Downtown Tomorrow grants are doing their job. In addition to numerous commercial developments, the grants also contributed to the creation of 16 new residential units in the City’s core. In 2019 alone, we have already awarded more than $120,000 in grant funding to local businesses,” said Laura Thompson, Manager of Real Estate and Commercial Development.
The DTCIP includes a variety of financial incentives designed to stimulate development in the city’s core. Of the $200,000 in funding approved by Council for the grant programs in 2019, more than $75,000 in funding remains for improvements such as signage, façade improvements, building renovations and expansions, as well as the creation of residential units.
Pre-consultations with the City’s Economic Development Department are mandatory and businesses are encouraged to apply as Oct. 31, 2019, is the final deadline for 2019.
For more information on the DTCIP Grant Program, and to RSVP for the workshop, contact the City of Orillia Economic Development Office at 705-325-4900, or visit orillia.ca/downtowncip.
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