Food truck serving patron

Destination Development Fund

Program Objectives 

It is recognized that to sustainably grow Lincoln’s tourism economy, there is a need to identify new opportunities to support Lincoln’s tourism-based businesses and organizations. The Niagara Benchlands Destination Development Fund will be used to help support new and expanded projects in both the short and long term, encouraging local businesses and tourism operators to collaborate and foster innovative, capacity-building tourism products and events that have a measurable impact on Lincoln’s tourism economy. Tourism-based events and activations help draw visitors to our community creating opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and investment attraction.

Priority Projects & Objectives

The Niagara Benchlands Destination Development Fund aims to promote and foster the following values when considering support for tourism events and activations: 

  • Quality - We stand behind the quality of our products, services, and experiences, and these create a community where we want to grow, prosper, and belong.
  • Diversity - We celebrate the diversity of our destination, its people, and our future.
  • Engagement - We have an engaged tourism community that participates and supports our success.
  • Authenticity - We embrace our rural roots and showcase an authentic Lincoln for all.

In line with the priorities identified in Lincoln’s Five-Year Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2025), this fund aims to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration among Lincoln’s tourism stakeholders that align with our destination’s values. 

As we continue to see growth opportunities throughout the Ontario tourism sector, the importance of extending visitation into the Fall/Winter shoulder season is recognized as an important means to sustainably increase Lincoln's tourism capacity and welcome visitors more continuously as a year-round destination. 

Special attention will be given to projects that contribute to product development during the shoulder tourism season (September to December). This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • seasonal destination awareness campaigns
  • seasonally inspired experiences
  • festivals, and events designed to attract visitors during this period.

Priority consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate: 

  • The greatest cross-sector collaboration amongst other tourism-based businesses, organizations, and key suppliers in the Town of Lincoln’s tourism ecosystem. 
  • Management by a business/organization of strategic importance to the tourism sector in the Town of Lincoln. 
  • A measurable contribution to Lincoln’s tourism economy. 
  • A solid rationale for the project’s capacity to draw external visitors and create opportunities for increased visitor spending or overnight stays. 
  • Job creation in Lincoln, particularly in the areas of tourism, culture, and value-added agriculture. 
  • A need for financial assistance. 
  • Potential for wider media exposure for the Niagara Benchlands destination, including locally, nationally, and internationally. 
  • A strong accessibility and inclusivity plan, that supports underrepresented groups such as:
    • Women
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • Members of Official Language Minority Communities
    • Age-Friendly Communities
    • Persons with Disabilities
    • Racialized Communities or 2SLGBTQI+

How to Apply

For more information on this year’s fund, please see the 2024 Niagara Benchlands Destination Development Fund Application Guidelines.

Applications are accepted until Monday, May 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Supporting Documentation

2024 Niagara Benchlands Destination Development Fund Application Form

Program Inquiries

If you have any questions and/or comments about the Niagara Benchlands Destination Development Fund, please contact:

Britnie Bazylewski – Tourism Development Officer

Cameron Rotz – Economic Development Officer

Background:  

In line with the priorities identified in Lincoln’s Five-Year Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2025), this fund aims to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration among Lincoln’s tourism stakeholders that align with our destination’s values.