The money tap from the province was turned on in this community last week with the announcement of several major grants to local festivals.
On April 16, just as the Fergus Elora Bed and Breakfast Association and Elora Fergus Tourism were heralding the launch of its partnership on a tourism promotion booklet, Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj brought word the province had announced grants to four local festivals, as well as to a group in Erin.
The provincial government is spending $274,195 and Ross-Zuj, welcomed the local support. The money is for boosting the local economy by having events attract new audiences and generate more economic activity in the community.
The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
– Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, $74,357;
– Elora Festival, $73,500;
– Fergus Truck Show, $73,500; and
– Sensational Elora, $18,000.
The first three are long standing events, and Sensational Elora is heading into its second year. The announcement of the funding at the tourism meeting on April 16 brought an appreciative roar from those attending.
Ross-Zuj said in an interview that given the wet weather the Scottish Festival had last year, the money for that group is particularly timely.
Erin Rodeo will receive $34,838.
The money is part of the Celebrate Ontario 2009 program, that is spending $11-million on 224 festivals and events across the province – an increase of 150 per cent over last year.
Celebrate Ontario 2009 was originally announced as a $9-million program. However, in recognition of the significant impact these community events have on local economies, the government decided to spend an additional $2-million on this year’s program to help make its impact felt in more communities across the province.
MPP Ted Arnott said in an interview he is pleased to see the government offering financial support to the local area.
“I’m glad some of this money has been allocated to our area,” said Arnott. “Our festivals and events have received international recognition, and they are second to none in the world.
“We should give credit to the volunteers and staff of our outstanding local festivals,” Arnott said. “Their work is putting us on the map, attracting thousands of visitors to Wellington-Halton Hills.”
Ross-Zuj told council at the committee of the whole meeting on Monday, “Centre Wellington certainly picked up a big chunk of change for this summer. The province has seen and appreciated our festivals.”
Jurgen Petrenko, the general manager of the Elora Festival, said, “The generous support … has helped the Elora Festival present artists we never dreamed possible. Last year it was international opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. This year, it’s Natalie MacMaster, Paul Halley and Serena Ryder in the scenic Elora Quarry.”
Ross-Zuj told council upper tier government grants are still coming, too, but each municipality must be ready for them.
She said at the start of the meetingon Monday the township has just received notice that Canada Builds has announced a grant and each municipality will be permitted to apply for one project.
She added the Infrastructure Stimulus Plan has also announced grants, and each municipality is permitted to apply for three projects with that program.
But, Ross-Zuj added, the catch to both grants is the application deadline is in two weeks and the government has promised the decisions will be made fairly quickly.
She noted all municipalities had been warned for months that grant applications will be coming quickly and they are supposed to have “shovel ready” projects set to go so they can apply when funds are available.
“We know our staff are prepared,” she said. She also announced that Centre Wellington had just received another payment for hosting the slots facility in Elora.
She said that money, the township’s share of the five per cent slots profits, will all be used for infrastructure projects.
The amount the township received is $521,415.
