Funding
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) Tourism Development Fund (CEDC Tourism Development Fund, formerly known as the CEDC MAT Fund) is supported by tax revenues collected quarterly by the City of Thunder Bay through the administration of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).
The MAT applies at a rate of 5% on short-term accommodation stays of 30 days or less at hotels, motels, and other eligible accommodation properties in Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) administers 50% of this tax revenue to support continued tourism growth and development by providing funding through two funding streams outlined below. The CEDC Tourism Investment Committee provides transparent, evidence-based, strategic oversight in the delivery of the fund.
CEDC Tourism Event Fund
This stream provides financial support of up to $50,000 or 25% of eligible budget, whichever is less, for tourism events that demonstrate a capacity to attract out-of-town visitors and generate overnight stays at accommodation properties collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax.
This stream supports events that:
• Attract out-of-town visitors for overnight stays in Thunder Bay
• Generate room nights at local accommodation properties that collect MAT
• Generate economic impact for Thunder Bay and the tourism/hospitality industries
• Enhances the profile of Thunder Bay as a place to visit for sport, culture, business, and leisure travel
Program Streams
The CEDC Tourism Event Fund offers various streams of funding which can be viewed below.
CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund
This stream provides financial support for tourism projects that enhance, create or improve tourism experiences and opportunity in the City of Thunder Bay.
Funding is available for:
- Not-for-profit/public sector applicants, $500,000 (over a two-year instalment) or 33% of the eligible budget, whichever is less
- For-profit applicants, $500,000 (over a two-year instalment) or 20% of the eligible budget, whichever is less
This stream supports projects that:
• Attract out-of-town visitors for overnight stays in Thunder Bay
• Increase visitor length of stay and/or visitor spending
• Enhance Thunder Bay’s appeal as a four-season destination
• Leverage partnerships and financial resources to demonstrate viability and sustainability
• Create or retain employment opportunities within the tourism sector
*Operating support is not being considered at this time.
** Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to more than one property or business and/or provide value to the broader public.
*** Tourism business development, expansion, or capital projects must establish a distinct new revenue source, separate from existing operations, and bring forward a new tourism product for the market.
Program Streams
The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund offers various streams of funding which can be viewed below.
Other Funding Programs
Experience Ontario
Experience Ontario provides support for festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to discover Ontario, connect people with local experiences, and increase tourism spending.
Event Development Grant
Supports event organizers with start-up costs associated with hosting or bidding for new and inaugural events as well as international, national, provincial, and regional championships.
Enabling Accessibility Fund
Provides funding for projects that make Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities.
Starter Company Plus
For businesses in Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario that is looking to start-up, expand, or buy an existing business.
Economic Development Fund
For members of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce to provide direct financial assistance toward specific initiatives that support the growth or strengthening of small businesses in Thunder Bay.
Downtown & Core Area Improvement Grants
Provides grants for eligible construction and/or restoration projects in the downtown and core areas through the Strategic Core Area Community Improvement Plan.
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF)
Has three aims: (1) to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario organizations to develop, promote and present one- off or first time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; (2) increase the earned revenue capability of the applicant organization; and (3) support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation
Northern Ontario Women (NOW) Program
Assists women entrepreneurs start and/or scale up their businesses by offering support for professional services, mentoring relationships, and educational opportunities tailored to their business needs and priorities.
Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE)
Provide access to business development training, culturally responsive and tailored business coaching, networking opportunities, and a one-time grant of $10,000 to support Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs.
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
The Community Enhancement Program is designed to help build strong and resilient Northern communities through infrastructure investments, to upgrade/repair existing assets to improve community quality of life, economic development infrastructure, and strategic economic development initiatives.
The Cultural Supports Program is designed to help showcase Northern Ontario culture, geography, and talent through event partnerships and the production of films and television series.
The Invest North Program is designed to boost economic growth in Northern Ontario by encouraging businesses to invest in transformative strategic and complementary business development opportunities in Northern communities. The program will support productivity, innovation, business competitiveness, revenue growth, export capacity development, job creation, and retention.
The People and Talent Program is designed to attract, retain, and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce.
FedNor
The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) two common streams of programming to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses and create the conditions for the development of strong, dynamic and inclusive regional innovation ecosystems across the country.
The Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides financial support to projects that encourage economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises in official language minority communities (OLMCs).
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in Northern Ontario to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
