Collingwood Revitalizing Downtown Area

The Town of Collingwood is developing market-based, downtown revitalization plans with assistance from the Province.

The community’s strategic analysis of its newly-expanded Business Improvement Area has identified several initiatives that business and community partners want to develop and deliver.

Healthy rural downtowns are important to Ontario’s economic well-being and the communities they serve.

QUOTES

“The community of Collingwood has wonderful natural attributes.  Its downtown has the potential for well-planned, sustainable economic growth.  I congratulate the community leaders who are behind these goals, making a difference in their community.”
— Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“The redevelopment of our downtown commercial Heritage District and waterfront is exciting news for our community. This provincial support will serve to create linkages within our newly renovated and expanded downtown core ensuring Collingwood’s continued success as the region’s leading commercial district.”
—  Christopher Carrier, Mayor, Town of Collingwood

“We know from customer surveys that downtown Collingwood is highly regarded.  With this new project, we want to create a seamlessly connected, downtown shopping experience linked to our Georgian Bay shoreline.”
—  Jeffrey Shearer, Chair, Collingwood Business Improvement Area (BIA)

QUICK FACTS

• The Town of Collingwood will receive $150,000 for its downtown revitalization project through the Rural Economic Development Program.
• The community of Collingwood has already completed a lot of work in preparation for their downtown project.  An updated branding strategy has been undertaken and the local BIA has expanded its district to include more area businesses.  The community has also completed a First Impressions Community Exchange project and a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) study to provide market-based information for future decisions.
• The community will also rely on assistance from economic development staff at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs who live and work in rural Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about the Rural Economic Development program.

For more information:

Brent Ross, Communications, 416-326-9342