Media Release: Lincoln businesses benefit from $500,0000 in federal support towards their adaptation and recovery efforts
Lincoln, ON – (July 30, 2021) – Niagara Economic Development in partnership with the Town of Lincoln and fellow local area municipalities have secured and awarded $2 million in direct funding from The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support Niagara’s tourism industry in its recovery from COVID-19. A total of more than $500,000 of this funding is going towards local Lincoln tourism-based businesses.
“Lincoln has a wealth of tourism assets, but like similar municipalities has faced challenges in growing as a tourist destination as a result of the pandemic. The need for increased support of adaptation and recovery initiatives cannot be understated in our Lincoln community” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton, “We will continue to advocate for greater recovery support and identify opportunities to support economic development in our tourism sector and help make the Town of Lincoln a place to grow and a place to prosper.”
“Tourism is a key contributor to our economy, not only on a national level but also right here in Lincoln,” said Paul Di Ianni, the Town’s Director of Economic Development and Communications. “Tourism also means business in Niagara, since close to 40,000 jobs and upwards of 2,800 businesses in our region are directly supported by the tourism industry.”
The Town of Lincoln has one of the most diversified economies in the Niagara Region, tourism-related jobs and the economic value of the industry in the community cannot be understated. In 2019, tourism-related jobs in our community accounted for close to 1,700 jobs and were poised to continue a promising trajectory in 2020, until the COVID-19 pandemic slowed growth. In total, Lincoln has seen an 11% increase in tourism jobs since 2015, while Niagara has seen a 17.9% increase overall. Regionally, tourism contributes $2.4 billion to the local economy.
The tourism and hospitality industries have been the two most negatively impacted business sectors in Lincoln, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need for greater support and timely adaption opportunities, the Town’s Economic Development team worked closely with 41 local tourism-based businesses, to secure 25% of the total awarded funding Lincoln’s Tourism sector; amounting to five hundred million ($500,000) in adaptation and recovery support for Lincoln SME’s while leveraging 1.3 million dollars of investment from the private sector.
For more information on this impactful tourism initiative, please visit the Niagara Regional Economic Development website.
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For more information, please contact:
Paul Di Ianni
Director, Economic Development and Communications
Town of Lincoln
Direct: 905-563-2799 ext. 272
Tel: 905-563-8205
Cell: 289-407-1402
PDiIanni@lincoln.ca
Testimonials:
“Agri tourism is critically important to our Winery and Restaurant operations at Vineland Estates Winery. We are incredibly grateful for the work Niagara Economic Development did in securing this FedDev Ontario funding. I would also like to thank the Town of Lincoln for their valuable coordination and assistance in working with Lincoln tourism businesses for this grant opportunity. This funding has allowed us to better adapt our business model to be positioned for recovery from the COVID pandemic. It is inspiring to see multi levels of governments working together, recognizing the economic and social importance of the Tourism sector in the Niagara Region”
~ Allan Schmidt, President, Vineland Estates Winery.
“This funding made a huge difference to us entering the summer patio season, and really allowed us to provide a safe space for our guests as we welcome them back.”
~ Michael Dilliott- Owner Revalee Brunch Café, Vineland, ON
