MP Bev Shipley and CFDC Announce Mainstreet Middlesex Programming

NEWS RELEASE
February 27, 2015

CFDC ANNOUNCES TARGETED MAIN STREET MIDDLESEX PROGAMMING FOR 2015-2016

Parkhill, ON – Main Street Middlesex, the downtown revitalization program spearheaded by The Business Help Centre (CFDC) of Middlesex County, has returned to select downtowns for 2015-2016. In partnership with the municipalities of North Middlesex, Lucan-Biddulph, and Thames Centre, the CFDC will be offering community development supports and matching grants to qualifying stakeholder groups in the designated downtowns of Ailsa Craig, Dorchester, Lucan and Parkhill until March 31, 2016.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Bev Shipley was on hand today for the launch on Main Street Parkhill to announce the Government of Canada’s $114,000 contribution to the project, which is being provided through the Capacity Enhancement Funding of FedDev Ontario. The CFDC successfully applied for the funding that is offered to qualifying CFDCs in Southern Ontario as part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“This program will have a direct impact on the small business and community groups in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex that are very large contributors to the economic prosperity of Southern Ontario” says MP Shipley.

CFDC Executive member, Janet Johnstone, who represents North Middlesex on the Board of Directors, adds “This funding will help our downtowns to grow and adapt to meet the needs of our changing populations, and remain vital centres for commercial activity in Middlesex County for years to come”.

In addition to the business consulting services and term loans that the CFDC already provides, the Main Street Middlesex programming will offer six categories of granting to qualifying stakeholders including

Business Development Grants
Matching grants to a maximum of $2,500 are available to support stakeholder groups in the designated downtowns wishing to carry out projects that support commercial downtown development such as property and business inventories,

Retail Promotion Grants
Matching grants to a maximum of $1,500 are available to support the retail promotions of stakeholder groups in the designated downtowns. Financial support may be provided to groups of 3 or more downtown stakeholders, carrying out retail promotions or advertisements including radio, print, television, web advertisements or direct mail campaigns focused on increasing retail traffic “downtown”.

Festivals and Events Grants
Matching grants to a maximum of $2,500 are available to provide supports to benefit new or enhanced festivals/events in the designated downtowns. Financial support may be provided to stakeholder groups to offset the cost of: advertising or promoting the festival/event, banners, marketing products (merchandise tie-ins such as posters, T-shirts and other promotional items) and/or event planning services.

Streetscape Beautification Grants
Matching grants to a maximum of $2,500 are available for streetscape beautification within the designated downtowns. Grants may be used to support banners (new, replacement, seasonal or alternate banners, mounting brackets or mechanisms), benches, garbage cans, bike racks, green-space/park renderings, seasonal decorations (holiday) and/or public art (murals, sculptures, fountains, etc.).

Storefront Sign Grants
Matching grants to a maximum of $1,500 are available for storefront signs within the designated downtowns. Financial support may be provided for merchants or property owners within the designated downtowns. Grants may be used to support the design or purchase of a new sign or for the restoration of an older sign. Consideration will also be given to storefront awnings.

Maps & Guides Grants
As part of the Main Street Middlesex Program, matching grants to a maximum of $2,500 are provided to support development of maps and/or guides for stakeholder groups in the designated downtowns. Financial support as noted may be provided to groups developing maps and/or guides which may include way finding (freestanding) maps (located in downtown), directional signage for downtown, printed and/or electronic downtown maps or guides.

Organizations and business owners interested in receiving more information are invited to contact Main Street Middlesex c/o The Business Help Centre (CFDC) of Middlesex County at: 519-641-6100 or email [email protected].