Some changes on a map should mean more growth and jobs for the area could be in the works after a provincial government announcement in Barrie, Friday.
Minister of Economic Trade and Employment Dr. Eric Hoskins unveiled plans at Barrie City Hall for an expansion of the boundaries of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SODF) and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF).
Those changes mean that Barrie and the rest of Simcoe County, as well as the District of Muskoka, will be eligible to apply for government money earmarked for creating jobs and growth.
"Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities in the two regions can now apply to receive support for projects that will create jobs, encourage innovation and attract investment to their local communities," Hoskins said.
Eligible sectors include advanced manufacturing, processing, life sciences, information and community technology, tourism and cultural industries.
"So far, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund have created and retained more than 27,700 jobs," he said.
Hoskins said the province has committed more than $88 million in regional support to the two funds, leveraging at total investment of more than $837 million.
"Today's announcement is good news for Barrie and all the communities that make up Simcoe County," Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said. "The Ontario government's support will now be available in a new way to help our local economies innovate and grow.
"We have a number of programs we've been working on and this is an opportunity for us to apply for funding."
Finally being a part of the SODF is welcome news, he added.
"We didn't think of ourselves as part of the southwest (area of funding). We were surprised we didn't fit in the basket," he said.
Hoskins said the government originally drew up the geographical boundaries for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund after discussions with stakeholders.
"The government set boundaries that were as broad as possible at the time," Hoskins said. "But since then we have heard loud and clear from municipal leaders like Mayor Lehman, as well as from leaders like Mayor (Graydon) Smith in Bracebridge and across Muskoka.
"We heard that these regions face similar economic challenges as other municipalities that are already included in the northern, eastern and southwestern Ontario regional funds."
Simcoe County Ward Cal Patterson said the SODF money would encourage innovation and attract investment.
"Not only will this help the county's more than 16,000 businesses increase productivity, our communities will be better equipped, allowing them to be competitive and create local jobs," he said. "From plastics to glass manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to aggregate resources, the county's economic base is diverse and growing, and today's announcement will go a long way to ensuring this trend continues."
Source: Barrie Examiner
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