King Township receives $50K in provincial funding to boost local economy

King Township is hiring a project co-ordinator to develop local strategies

Yorkregion.com
December 6, 2018
Sheila Wang

King Township is getting $50,000 in funding from the provincial government to support its local business and boost the economy.

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan, made the announcement on Nov. 30 on behalf of Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to a packed room of residents, community leaders, and small business owners at Sugar and Spice Bakeshop and Cafe, a local business in Schomberg.

The provincial funding is part of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Rural Economic Development (RED) program; this program funds projects that stimulate economic growth in Ontario’s rural communities by helping to grow the local economy and remove barriers to economic development.

The new investment will contribute to the Schomberg Main Street revitalization project, which aims to grow the Main Street economy and remove barriers to economic development.

“Our government is delivering on our commitment to create jobs and grow the economy in King Township,” Lecce said. “I am pleased to announce our government’s support for the Schomberg Main Street revitalization project, which will strengthen King’s local economy, improve the viability of the historic Main Street, and support our dynamic small business community.”

With the funding, the township is going to hire a project co-ordinator to develop local strategies to help improve competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in Schomberg --and across King-Vaughan.

Mayor Steve Pellegrini expressed his appreciation for the provincial government’s support and investment in the township’s rural economy.

“The Schomberg Main Street revitalization project is about investing in quality of place, and will bring people, businesses and economic prosperity back to Main Street,” Pellegrini said.

King Township is currently developing a strategy to ensure the vitality of the commercial core of Main Street, in consultation with the Schomberg community.

The study area includes all properties on Main Street, from Church Street to Dr. Kay Drive.

Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton and King Township Ward 4 Councillor Bill Cober also attended the funding announcement.

Deeply rooted in tradition and agriculture, Cober said, Schomberg’s Main Street has the potential to be a “focal point for our community and a popular destination for residents.”

Schomberg Main Street is home to the 168-year-old Schomberg Agricultural Fair, the Schomberg Street Gallery and A Main Street Christmas.

Following the announcement, Minister McNaughton and Lecce took a walking tour of the historic Main Street, accompanied by Mayor Pellegrini.

King Township is one of over 80 communities across the province that will benefit from this support by boosting and diversifying the local economy.

Eligible projects include such things as developing a downtown revitalization plan or marketing, branding and promotional activities to attract investment to the community.