From left: Councillor Doug Brunton, Councillor Michael Columbus, Councillor Linda Vandendriessche, Councillor Adam Veri, Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, Mayor Amy Martin, Councillor Alan Duthie, and Councillor Chris Van Paassen.
Funding set to fuel local collaborations and economic development opportunities
Economic development in Norfolk is getting a boost through Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program, furthering its commitment to enhancing the local economy. The funding will support the development of key projects aimed at stimulating economic growth. In addition, it will help foster innovation and create opportunities for businesses and residents in the region. The grant amount is $116,050, which will be matched by Norfolk County, resulting in a $232,100 investment.
“Rural economic development is the cornerstone of Norfolk County’s future, driving innovation, resilience, and opportunity,” said Mayor Amy Martin. “With this RED grant, we’re investing directly in the businesses and workers who power our economy, ensuring Norfolk remains a thriving and competitive place to live and work.”
Future Ready Norfolk Initiative
The grant will support the County’s “Future Ready Norfolk” initiative. The comprehensive program is designed to revitalize and sustain the local economy. The initiative includes:
Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E): Engaging with local businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and retail to identify challenges, opportunities, and solutions. (Learn about the survey.)
Quality of Life for Workers Study: Investigating critical factors like housing, transit, healthcare, and recreational amenities to enhance worker retention and attract new talent.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Promoting DEI awareness and training within the local business community and supporting equitable access to resources for underrepresented communities.
New to Norfolk: Providing information, tools, and connections to newcomers to support their integration into the community and local workforce. This will include a comprehensive web portal for community resources.
“Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) is our boots-on-the-ground approach to economic development,” noted John Regan, Director of Economic Development. “By listening directly to our businesses, we gain actionable insights that deliver the best return on investment for our community. This grant empowers us to turn those insights into meaningful solutions that support local growth and prosperity.”
Learn more about the Rural Economic Development Program at https://www.ontario.ca/page/rural-economic-development-program.