Thanks to the $132,973 in Rural Ontario Development (ROD) funds provided to Saugeen Shores by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs, a range of initiatives can now take place. This announcement was made on June 19 at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre in Southampton. The funding will support emergency drones, new back-up bunker gear for firefighters, and ensure that Port Elgin Pumpkinfest remains affordable for families.
Additionally, it will assist in offering mental health support for police staff and enable a partnership between the Town and Saugeen First Nation to create a tourism strategic plan. “I can’t wait to see the outcome (of the grants…)” Thompson expressed, highlighting that “the investments made in ROD programs have a four-to-one return and the results are four-fold.” She shared an example of Uxbridge which used $100,000 from a ROD seed money grant to revitalize its main street, leading to $1.5 million in investment and 60 new jobs downtown. Thompson praised the updated flagship ROD program as one that “truly meets the needs” of small-town Ontario with three key areas: safe communities, business attraction and retention focus, and developing a strong workforce.
“That strategy is guiding everything we are doing at the Ministry of Rural Affairs…” Thompson mentioned while presenting ceremonial ROD cheques to officials from Saugeen Shores Police Service, Saugeen Shores Fire Department, Town of Saugeen Shores, Port Elgin Pumpkinfest, and Community Emergency Preparedness. While Thompson brought five large ceremonial cheques with her, she emphasized that this occasion was not merely about distributing money.
“This was about recognizing the organizations and individuals who are putting their heart and souls into making our small towns thrive,” she noted.
“That’s my adrenalin in terms of being able to say thank you. What this represents is ‘thank you from the province for all the amazing work that is happening….” Grant recipients
A $36,223 ROD Fire Protection grant enabled the fire department to acquire 10 sets of full structural firefighting bunker gear. This ensures firefighters can remain operational while their equipment is decontaminated after responding to incidents.
“After an incident of contamination, to protect the firefighters from toxic cancers, all the gear goes out and gets washed so we can get back in service immediately,” said Fire Captain Paul Shular. A $36,223 Rural Ontario Development Fire Protection grant helped the Saugeen Shores Fire Department purchase 10 sets of bunker gear. Accepting the cheque from Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs were Fire Captain Paul Shular (left), Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Deputy-Fire Chief Rob Atkinson. Frances Learment/Shoreline Beacon Saugeen Shores emergency responders will utilize a $25,000 ROD Community Emergency Preparedness Grant for purchasing drones that will assist them with “safer, faster and more accurate damage assessments” following severe weather or emergencies.
These drones will enhance responders’ capabilities in evaluating impacts while locating stranded individuals or blocked routes during emergency operations.
A $25,000 Rural Ontario Development – Community Emergency Preparedness grant will help Town of Saugeen Shores emergency responders assess damage after an emergency. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson- Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs- delivered a ceremonial cheque to Saugeen Shores Fire Department Captain Paul Shular (left), Deputy-Fire Chief Rob Atkinson, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Police Service Board Chair/ Deputy Mayor Diane Huber and Deputy Police Deputy-Chief Jeremy Mighton June 19 in Southampton.
This past week saw two OPP officers lose their lives; thus a $25,000 Rural Ontario Development – Mental Health Support for Public Safety Personnel grant has become vital in ensuring mental health resources are available for public service members in Saugeen Shores.
Deputy-Police Chief Jeremy Mighton acknowledged how timely this funding is.
“In Ontario this was particularly challenging week for policing – we lost two of our own; funds like this help us get our officers out there…and make sure they are healthy both on duty and off,” Mighton stated.A $25,000 Rural Ontario Development Mental Health Support for Public Safety Personnel grant will help ensure that Saugeen Shores public service members receive mental health support. Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson delivered the cheque along with Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau , Saugen First Nation Police Service Board Chair/Deputy Mayor Diane Huber , and Deputy-Police Chief Jeremy Mighton.
The first collaborative effort between Town of Saugeen Shores/Saugeen First Nation aims to create a strategic tourism plan with assistance from a $15,,000 Rural Ontario Development grant.
Town CAO Kara Van Myall explained after signing an agreement with Saugeen First Nation that these funds would allow them both to partner on their first economic development strategic initiative.Saugeen Shores CAO Kara Van Myall (left) alongside Mayor Luke Charbonneau gratefully accepted a $15,,000 Rural Ontario Development grant from Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre on June 19th.
A $31,,750 ROD- Experience Ontario grant will enable Port Elgin Pumpkinfest organizers to allocate more resources towards making this October’s event “family-friendly.”
Pumpkinfest official Joanne Robbins remarked how this funding “helps with our infrastructure so we can keep costs down allowing families entry for just $25…” Robbins added.Helping Port Elgin Pumpkinfest officials make this October’s event more family affordable will be easier with a $31,,750 Rural Ontario Development Experience Ontario grant delivered by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson – Minister of Rural Affairs -to Pumpkinfest officials Christine Mitchell (left), Joanne Robbins, and Sterling Theil on June 19th in Southampton.
Minister Thompson pointed out how Huron-Bruce has received more Experience Ontario grants than any other area across Canada showcasing its potential as an attractive destination filled with “stunning” opportunities driven by tourism.
In her press release following these cheque presentations , Minister Thompson stated strong communities arise when investments are made into people , organizations , and local initiatives fostering environments that feel “safe , vibrant , and welcoming.”
“These investments into Saugeen Shores aim at supporting our dedicated first responders while improving preparedness , boosting tourism efforts ensuring residents plus visitors continue enjoying various opportunities within our community,” concluded Thompson.
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Additionally, it will assist in offering mental health support for police staff and enable a partnership between the Town and Saugeen First Nation to create a tourism strategic plan. “I can’t wait to see the outcome (of the grants…)” Thompson expressed, highlighting that “the investments made in ROD programs have a four-to-one return and the results are four-fold.” She shared an example of Uxbridge which used $100,000 from a ROD seed money grant to revitalize its main street, leading to $1.5 million in investment and 60 new jobs downtown. Thompson praised the updated flagship ROD program as one that “truly meets the needs” of small-town Ontario with three key areas: safe communities, business attraction and retention focus, and developing a strong workforce.
“That strategy is guiding everything we are doing at the Ministry of Rural Affairs…” Thompson mentioned while presenting ceremonial ROD cheques to officials from Saugeen Shores Police Service, Saugeen Shores Fire Department, Town of Saugeen Shores, Port Elgin Pumpkinfest, and Community Emergency Preparedness. While Thompson brought five large ceremonial cheques with her, she emphasized that this occasion was not merely about distributing money.
“This was about recognizing the organizations and individuals who are putting their heart and souls into making our small towns thrive,” she noted.
“That’s my adrenalin in terms of being able to say thank you. What this represents is ‘thank you from the province for all the amazing work that is happening….” Grant recipients
A $36,223 ROD Fire Protection grant enabled the fire department to acquire 10 sets of full structural firefighting bunker gear. This ensures firefighters can remain operational while their equipment is decontaminated after responding to incidents.
“After an incident of contamination, to protect the firefighters from toxic cancers, all the gear goes out and gets washed so we can get back in service immediately,” said Fire Captain Paul Shular. A $36,223 Rural Ontario Development Fire Protection grant helped the Saugeen Shores Fire Department purchase 10 sets of bunker gear. Accepting the cheque from Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs were Fire Captain Paul Shular (left), Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Deputy-Fire Chief Rob Atkinson. Frances Learment/Shoreline Beacon Saugeen Shores emergency responders will utilize a $25,000 ROD Community Emergency Preparedness Grant for purchasing drones that will assist them with “safer, faster and more accurate damage assessments” following severe weather or emergencies.
These drones will enhance responders’ capabilities in evaluating impacts while locating stranded individuals or blocked routes during emergency operations.
Deputy-Police Chief Jeremy Mighton acknowledged how timely this funding is.
“In Ontario this was particularly challenging week for policing – we lost two of our own; funds like this help us get our officers out there…and make sure they are healthy both on duty and off,” Mighton stated.
Town CAO Kara Van Myall explained after signing an agreement with Saugeen First Nation that these funds would allow them both to partner on their first economic development strategic initiative.
Pumpkinfest official Joanne Robbins remarked how this funding “helps with our infrastructure so we can keep costs down allowing families entry for just $25…” Robbins added.
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