A glamping site near Meaford, a kayak rental outlet/restaurant in Owen Sound, and the Stratford Festival are among 20 organizations that are being given federal dollars to enhance tourism in Lake Huron communities and Southwestern Ontario.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Cambridge MP Brian May announced on Wednesday more than $3.2 million from the Tourism Growth Program will be shared by the selected tourism attractions.
"With investments like those made today for tourism businesses, communities in southwestern Ontario and along Lake Huron are positioned to attract more visitors and showcase our unique, exhilarating, and historic attractions," May noted while announcing the funds, using Snyder’s Family Farm in Bright as a backdrop.
Snyder's will be getting $130,000 of the funds to offer additional seasonal-themed attractions.
Among the organizations along Lake Huron getting a cut of the funding is Back Forty Glamping in Meaford. It will receive $132,500 to increase accommodations. Georgian Bay Geopark is getting $175,000 to develop and implement interpretive tourism programming. The Municipality of Central Huron is slated to get $200,000 to develop and launch an interactive cultural experiences guide for the region. Another $200,000 will go to Regional Tourism Organization 7 for an upgraded tech tourism program in Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe counties. The Launch in Owen Sound is getting $35,00 to upgrade its amenities on the Georgian Bay waterfront.
To help draw more theatre patrons, Stratford Festival of Canada will receive $250,000 to extend programming for the Stratford Shakespearean Festival through the fall and holiday season. Here For Now Theatre Company is getting $100,000 to create a micro-theatre venue in Stratford.
The full list of organizations receiving tourism funding can be found by clicking here.
Since 2015, the federal government has provided more than $415 million to nearly 450 tourism-related businesses and organizations across the country. This has helped to support an estimated 24,500 jobs.