Government of Canada invests nearly $10 million in community infrastructure and tourism to grow the economy and create jobs in Kingston and surrounding region

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

FedDev Ontario supports 37 projects in Frontenac, Lanark, and Lennox and Addington to enhance public spaces and attract visitors

November 24, 2022 – Kingston, Ontario

As a popular tourist destination, Kingston and the surrounding regions attract millions of visitors each year to enjoy the area’s historic main streets, museums, shops, restaurants, and the natural beauty of the waterfront. Visitors have a significant impact on the local economy. The Government of Canada understands the importance of the tourism sector and vibrant community spaces and is committed to supporting communities as they rebound from the pandemic and position themselves for a strong future.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a total investment of over $9.8 million for 37 projects in Kingston, Frontenac, Lanark, and Lennox and Addington that will support community infrastructure enhancements, tourism recovery and economic development in the region. These investments, through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), will create and revitalize community spaces and enhance tourism attractions to welcome more visitors and build stronger, more vibrant communities that will lead to job creation and a growing economy that works for everyone.

The announcement was hosted by Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, which received a non-repayable investment of more than than $300,000, through the Tourism Relief Fund, to renovate the historical building at the Kingston Dry Dock national historic site. The project includes restoring the Museum’s heritage architecture, including exhibit galleries, windows and doors, to improve energy efficiency and attract visitors to the museum.

An additional 36 community infrastructure and tourism projects are receiving support to recover from the pandemic, safely welcome back visitors and strengthen communities. For more information about the projects, please see the backgrounder.

Quotes

“Support for tourism operators and communities allows them to bring back visitors, enhance public spaces, share knowledge and experiences, and prepare for a strong future. Through programs like the Tourism Relief Fund and Canada Community Revitalization Fund, our government is making smart investments that put people first and grow local economies that work for everyone.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Tourism and modern recreational spaces are important for building strong local economies and communities in Kingston and surrounding regions. With this support, the tourism sector and communities in Kingston, Frontenac, Lanark, and Lennox and Addington are rebuilding from the pandemic and looking forward to a strong future.”
– Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

“This funding marks a very exciting moment at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes. We are on a mission to restore the Kingston Dry Dock national historic site, an outstanding example of 19th century maritime heritage along Kingston’s downtown waterfront. Central to our mission, this restoration will further our ability to provide a unique community space for events, programs and exhibits that connect visitors to the stories of the Great Lakes and Kingston.”
– Chris West, Chair of the Board, Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

Quick facts

• The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston showcases the unique maritime heritage of Kingston and the Great Lakes, the world’s largest inter-connected body of freshwater, through programs and exhibits. Their Kingston Dry Dock national historic site is significant for being the first federal dry dock constructed on the Great Lakes. From 1892 to 1968 the site repaired and built vessels commercial and military service, including 12 Second World War Flower-Class Corvettes.
• The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth, with a minimum of $50 million of the Fund allocated to supporting Indigenous-led projects or Indigenous-focused projects. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario. Applicants with events and festivals that will be completed by March 31, 2023, can now apply until November 28, 2022 for support through the Tourism Relief Fund in southern Ontario.
• With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund supports projects that build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets, bring people back to public spaces safely and stimulate local economies. This includes $139 million for projects in southern Ontario, delivered by FedDev Ontario.
• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $50 million in more than 100 projects in Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and Lanark, estimated to create over 800 jobs and maintain over 1,600 jobs.

Associated links

• FedDev Ontario
• Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
• Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF)
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca

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