Economic funding tour stops in Mulmur
Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson and Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones visited Mulmur on Jan. 15 to announce funding for Mulmur’s ongoing street art project. The $1,708 in Rural Economic Development (RED) funding will help pay for supplies for the project that aims to enhance several key locations, including the Bruce Trail crosswalks and access points, boundary roads, and intersections. These sites were chosen not only for their role in providing access to the area’s natural trails but also for their high visibility in areas with significant pedestrian traffic. The goal is to use creative street art to elevate the visual appeal of these areas, making them more engaging for people exploring the region’s beauty, and to serve as a traffic calming measure. The project, which called for proposals from the community last year, is expected to be completed later in 2025.
The visit from the members of provincial parliament was part of a tour to announce a total of $30,000 in RED funds for other economic development initiatives in Dufferin County.
Province doubles rural economic development funding
The Ontario government has released a new Rural Economic Development Strategy and announced another $10 million in annual funding for the next two years, to support economic growth, workforce capacity and business development in rural communities.
Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson made the announcement on Jan. 19 during the 2025 Rural Ontario
Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, saying the strategy is a key pillar in the government’s plan to help rural communities address the challenges they are facing and take advantage of new opportunities. As part of this strategy, the government has revamped the previous Rural Economic Development (RED) Program and is doubling its funding to $20 million over the next two years.
“The Rural Economic Development Strategy is our plan to help rural and Indigenous communities realize their potential and support the economic prosperity of communities across Ontario,” said Thompson in a press release. “It’s based on our government’s belief that a strong and dynamic rural Ontario is essential for the success of the province’s economy.”
To help inform the creation of the new Rural Economic Development Strategy, the government conducted a thorough consultation process with partners from rural municipalities, not-for-profit entities, and Northern and Indigenous communities. The government held 13 regional roundtables to hear the thoughts, experiences, and ideas of those living and working in rural Ontario and received more than 250 online submissions.
“Rural communities and businesses are the backbone of our riding,” said Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson. “For generations, families have worked their farms and their businesses as a critical part of our local economy. This investment will enhance andstrengthen that proud legacy in Simcoe-Grey.”
Rural Ontario is a significant contributor to the vitality and resilience of the province’s economic and social fabric while also being crucial to the province’s overall prosperity. With 2.5 million people and counting, rural communities produce an estimated $113 billion – 13 per cent – of Ontario’s GDP and employ over 1.2 million Ontarians, representing 15 per cent of the province’s jobs.
Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy pillars:
• Safe and Strong Rural Communities – Improving local economic development capacity and championing local leadership, supporting the rehabilitation of municipal and community infrastructure, optimizing rural connectivity, and supporting communities in developing plans for housing and transportation to ensure rural communities are places where people want to live, work and play.
• Business Development and Attraction – Supporting communities in strengthening and growing rural business, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, attracting investment, revitalizing downtowns and diversifying regional economies.
• Growing the Rural Workforce – Helping grow local talent, supporting workers in obtaining skills, and attracting and retaining workers.
