The Ontario government will invest $26 million to revitalize downtown and main streets across the province.
Improvements include the installation of pedestrian crosswalks or landscaping. Municipalities can also direct funding to local businesses to improve the appearance of storefronts through the installation of lighting or new signage.
The Main Street Revitalization Initiative aims to help rural communities attract investment and tourism, create jobs and enhance regional economic growth.
“Main streets are at the core of small, rural communities and are home to thousands of small businesses across the province,” said Jeff Leal, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. “That’s why our government is committed to ensuring they continue to remain vibrant hubs where residents meet, tourists visit and small businesses grow and prosper.”
The initiative is part of a $40 million investment over three years in the Main Street Enhancement Fund, which aims to assist small businesses in downtown and main street areas by providing access to digital tools, such as e-commerce.
Funding will be allocated to municipalities based on population size, and administered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and its rural arm, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.
“Many smaller communities have downtown business areas that play a special and critical role in building strong local economies,” said Ronald Holman, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association. “Programs like the Main Street Revitalization Initiative benefit our Main Street businesses which are important to rural Ontario.”
The initiative intends to expand upon the province’s Downtown Revitalization Program, which focuses on main street revitalization in rural areas.
SOURCE: GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
