County approves BRE funding for Erin and Centre Wellington

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Projects in Centre Wellington and Erin have been approved for funding under the county’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Local Implementation Fund.

Centre Wellington will receive $25,000 to cover one hundred per cent funding for a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) review and update.

The municipality will review and update the current CIP, add additional incentives and bring the CIP further into line with the County CIP program, explains a report from county economic development director Crystal Ellis.

The report notes the Improve Centre Wellington CIP was launched in 2015, and has seen more than 30 projects completed with a construction value exceeding $5 million.

The Town of Erin will receive $25,000 to cover 24% funding for economic development activities in 2020.

The Town of Erin Economic Development Plan was adopted by council in late 2019 and provides a road map to initiate and develop the economic prosperity of the town, the report explains.

Business retention and expansion initiatives planned for the Town of Erin in 2020 include updating incentives in the town’s CIP, researching a pilot entrepreneurial hub and the creation of a new community profile focused on investment attraction.

“Both of these projects support business retention and expansion goals and provides support to businesses in Centre Wellington and the Town of Erin,” states Ellis in the report.

“These actions also encourage new business development and work towards new business investment in Wellington County.”

The county’s economic development committee approved the funding requests at its June 16 meeting.

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