City of Orillia Grant stimulates creation of new apartments

A downtown business in Orillia received a financial boost this week thanks to the City of Orillia Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP).

Councillors Ralph Cipolla, Ted Emond and Pat Hehn were on hand Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, to announce $30,000 in funding for the applicant through the third intake of the 2017 DTCIP Grant Program. The program includes a variety of financial incentives designed to stimulate development in the City’s core.

“This grant represents our first grant awarded through the Residential Grant Program,” said Councillor Cipolla. “This funding will directly impact the creation of two new units in the downtown core, so that more people can live and work in Downtown Orillia.”

The owner of property located at 18 Wyandotte St. was awarded the grant to transform vacant space behind and above the existing dental practice into new apartments.

“The program has allowed us to continue our family legacy by giving back and contributing to development in the City of Orillia. Our hope is to give back to the community by providing affordable housing to those in need,” said the award recipient, Kathleen Philip.

“The grant today proves that the program is working to stimulate development,” Councillor Ted Emond added.

Staff will be providing Council with an overview of the program’s success to date through an upcoming report to Council Committee. Through this report staff will also put forward recommendations for implementation of the 2018 DTCIP Program.

Pre-consultations with the City’s Economic Development Department are mandatory and businesses are encouraged to apply to the earliest possible intake as funds are limited for this competitive program. For more information on the DTCIP Grant Program, contact the City of Orillia Economic Development Office at 705-325-4900, or visit orillia.ca/investdowntown.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

 -30-

Laura Thompson
Manager of Real Estate and Commercial Development
705-325-4900
lthompson@orillia.ca

Melissa Gowanlock
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
magowanlock@orillia.ca