Lincoln, ON – (January 25, 2023) – Mayor Sandra Easton, members of Council and Town staff participated in four delegations at the 2023 ROMA Annual Conference on January 23, 2023.
Town delegates discussed key priorities, programs, and initiatives to advocate for the Town's vision of sustainable economic growth, supported by investments in infrastructure and important community-focused projects with provincial ministers and MPPS.
“We are grateful to our provincial partners who support our growing economy and community through key initiatives and programs,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “We appreciate the Province taking the time to engage with us and help us realize our Town’s vision of a place to Grow, a place to Prosper and a place to Belong.”
“Our relationships with our government partners allow us to collaborate on important Town priorities. These partnerships bring funding opportunities to our community and provide important revenue sources which help reduce the impact on local taxpayers,” said Town of Lincoln CAO Mike Kirkopoulos. “I look forward to the positive outcome these collaborations and potential funding will have on our local economy and the overall health of our community.”
The Town of Lincoln participated in four delegations to help raise awareness about various Town projects to gain provincial support for several business and community initiatives to stimulate overall economic growth and community health.
Here is a summary of key priorities and projects discussed:
Skills Development Fund – Round 3:
The Town of Lincoln has received funding and support from the province for rounds 1 and 2 of the Youth Skills Studio Program, in the amount of $4.6 million. The Town has asked for continued support for round 3 of this program to support our community. Through a targeted effort towards youth and marginalized peoples, this program will specifically focus on supporting skills development and capacity building for job seekers and employers, by providing tech services and tourism and hospitality training at minimal cost to small businesses.
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund:
The Town of Lincoln is applying to the next intake of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund (Large-scale renovation and new builds stream) to support a library redevelopment project that will see our Moses F. Rittenhouse Library in Vineland re-envisioned into a library that will support our growing community. To meet Library standards for our current and projected population, The Town requires an expansion of existing library space, specifically at the Rittenhouse Library. We are asking for provincial support for our federal application to ensure our Library spaces meet the needs of our current and future populations.
Community Museums Operating Grant:
The Town of Lincoln requested that the Ministry consider increasing the funding envelope for the Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG). The Town currently receives $25,000/year (the maximum amount) through this grant. The funding envelope for this grant has not been increased in over 15 years, limiting the ability of community museums to offset increasing operational expenses. The CMOG is a crucial funding program for community museums in Ontario that supports key museum functions essential to the stability and success of the sector. Funding from this grant is used to support the operations of community museums, including staff salaries, museum maintenance, or for building and preserving collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. The Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre is a community hub that is critical to the health and vibrancy of our community, and an increase in this funding will allow our museum to continue serving our community.
Ontario Sport and Recreations Communities Fund (OSRCF):
Municipalities are core service providers for recreational services across the province. High quality, accessible sport and recreation opportunities are integral to a healthy community. Sport and recreation is for everyone; all people and communities deserve equitable access to recreational experiences. The last intake for the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) was in 2018/2019. The Town has asked that the Ministry return the OSRCF to support local sports and recreation throughout Ontario, or that an alternative grant be developed in its place. An annual funding program from the Ministry, such as the OSRCF, will assist with increasing operational costs for municipal sport and recreation facility operators and will help us deliver excellent programming for our residents.
Modernization Funding:
The Town of Lincoln requested support from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to assist with the modernization of services and tools to enable Town staff to serve the community more efficiently. Specifically, the Town is looking for funding to modernize financial systems, digital permitting/planning tools, data digitization to streamline and improve customer service.
COVID-19 Revenue Shortfall Funding:
The Town of Lincoln continued to experience revenue shortfall in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to deliver high quality programming for our residents. Town staff have requested financial support to offset those loses, as normal operating costs continue to rise, as revenue has not matched impacts from the pandemic and normal inflationary increases.
Development in Lincoln – Bill 23 and Greenbelt Policies:
During our discussions with the Minister Clark (MMAH), the Lincoln delegation raised concerns regarding Bill 23 as well as opportunities to correct some minor mistakes as it relates to small parcels in Lincoln that were incorrectly deemed Greenbelt land. The Province of Ontario promised to continue these discussions.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
Direct: 905-563-2799 ext. 230
Tel: 905-563-8205