Rockport To Become Year-Round Tourist Destination

McGuinty Government Revitalizes Rural Tourism To Boost Local Economy

Ontario is helping Rockport establish itself as a year-round cultural, historical and environmental tourism destination.

The Province is providing the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands with $60,500 toward a tourism project in the community of Rockport, entitled Rockport: Reconnecting with the Past, Revitalizing the Present, Building for the Future. The project will help market the increased variety of seasonal activities offered within the community. It will also help Rockport beautify its streetscape through natural landscaping, murals and signage.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program, which invests in community-based projects in three priority areas:

• Enhanced skills training
• Revitalized communities and downtowns
• Improved access to health care services.
  

QUOTES

"By revitalizing Rockport's image and marketing it to potential tourists we can help local businesses grow and prosper while enhancing the visitor experience for tourists."
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Rockport and the entire St. Lawrence corridor are important to Ontario's tourism industry. By attracting visitors to our beautiful outdoors, not only are we making Ontario the province of choice for many travellers, we are also boosting local economies all across the province."
- Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

"We want to develop our community as a cultural and heritage-based tourism experience that includes a heritage mural, installation of interpretive signage as part of the historical walking tour, and safe pedestrian paths."
- Frank Kinsella, Mayor of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2003, Ontario has invested $73.3 million in 220 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.
• There are more than 1800 registered islands in the 1000 Islands region.
  
  

LEARN MORE

Discover The 1000 Islands.

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342