Orazietti announces $225,178 for local festivals and events

NEWS RELEASES

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

SAULT YOUTH ASSOCIATION

**************************** Orazietti announces $225,178 investment in local festivals and events

Province provides further support for Sault Ste. Marie’s tourism sector to strengthen economy and create jobs

SAULT STE. MARIE - The provincial government is providing $225,178 to help support local festivals and events in order to attract more visitors, generate greater economic activity and create more jobs in Sault Ste. Marie, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

“Our government understands the economic importance that local festivals and cultural events play in strengthening the tourism industry here in Sault Ste. Marie and across the Algoma region,” said Orazietti. “The province’s tourism strategy in northern Ontario is helping local residents enjoy accessible and affordable activities, while also attracting more visitors who provide a boost to a wide range of local businesses.”

Celebrate Ontario helps festivals and events enhance their programming and services so they can continue to drive tourism and economic growth in communities across the province. 

The province’s support will help these events further enhance their programs and services to attract new audiences, increase visitor spending and create jobs.

Sault Ste. Marie’s Celebrate Ontario recipients include:

- Buskerfest (Sault Youth Association) - $35,178

- Algoma Fall Festival (Algoma Arts Festival Association) - $40,000

- CARHA Hockey World Cup (Tourism SSM-SSM EDC) - $150,000

Celebrate Ontario supports the province’s Open Ontario Plan to strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

Additional provincial investments that support tourism and recreational events in Sault Ste. Marie include:

- $6.2 million West End Community Centre

- $5 million Agawa Canyon Tour Train

- $4.7 million Essar Centre

- $3.1 million Hub Trail and waterfront walkway expansion

- $1.2 million Improvements to Roberta Bondar Park Tent, John Rhodes Arena, Greco Pool and Manzo Pool

- $1 million Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site

- $1 million Discovery Centre at Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site

- $374,927 Sault Ste. Marie Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre

- $350,000 improvements to Searchmont Ski Resort

- $142,000 Sault Ste. Marie Tourism’s winter marketing campaign

- $74,969 for Bicentennial Celebration of War of 1812

Quick facts

- Every year, festivals generate more than 22,000 jobs in Ontario.

- Celebrate Ontario 2011 is providing $20 million to over 230 festivals and events. Since 2007, the province has invested $57 million through Celebrate Ontario to enhance almost 800 festivals and events.

- In 2008 alone, tourism spending in Ontario was $22 billion and supported 300,000 jobs.   **************************** The Sault Youth Association is thankful to have received a grant from Celebrate Ontario.

Grant criterion specifies that money received is for the purposes of acquiring capital assets to enhance festivals or events.

The Sault Youth Association will be investing the grant total of $35,178 directly back into the local economy through the purchases of material and labour to enhance programming and delivery of Buskerfest.

“We are thrilled that funding from Celebrate Ontario gives us the ability to kick the 8th annual Sault Ste. Marie Buskerfest further up the ladder of excellence. The Sault Youth Association’s Buskerfest is organized by youth for the entire community. This three-day event is about more than juggling and swallowing swords. It’s about bringing community together and it’s about supporting our local merchants and businesses. And it is especially about creating opportunities for our young people to develop transferrable skills that include planning, coordination and hands on technical experience.” - Steffanie Date, executive director, Sault Youth Association

The Sault Youth Association could not continue to deliver Buskerfest but for the generous support of sponsors who have championed our youth for over seven years.

“The financial and in-kind contributions from our local sponsors to ensure operational ability, and the grant from Celebrate Ontario allow us the opportunity to enhance the overall festival experience for spectators, performers and volunteers alike, as well as pave the way for future festival expansion. It's an important investment for Buskerfest and the community of Sault Ste. Marie as a whole." - Donna Hopper, general manager, Sault Buskerfest Committee.

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