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 Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is levied on short-term stays 30 days or less at hotel, motel, and other accommodation properties in the City of Thunder Bay, at a rate of 5%. 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.
Funding Streams
- The CEDC Tourism Event Fund provides financial support to tourism events that demonstrate a capacity to attract out-of-town visitors and generate overnight stays at accommodation properties collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax in Thunder Bay.
The CEDC Tourism Event Fund will fund up to a maximum of $50,000 or 25% of the total event budget. - The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund provides financial support for tourism projects that enhance, create or improve tourism experiences an opportunities in the City of Thunder Bay.
The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund will fund up to a maximum of $500,000 (over a two-year instalment of $250,000 per year) or 33% of the total project budget for not-for-profit/public entities and 20% for for-profit entities.
The CEDC Tourism Investment Committee accepts applications year-round.
Applicants are encouraged to apply 90 days prior of the event or project occurring if requesting $50,000 or less, and 120 days prior if requesting over $50,000.
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This event is a provincial skiing championship for ages 12-13, occurring at Loch Lomond Ski Area and Mount Baldy Ski Area. 
This event is the highest level of cross-country skiing in the Canadian racing ski calendar for senior, junior, and Para-Nordic skiers as they compete to be the national champion. 
The provincial aspire dive meet brought coaches and families from 10 dive clubs across Ontario to compete on any skill level. 
C2U Expo is Canada’s leading conference on community-based research (CBR) and community-campus engagement. 
The Digital Transformation Conference (DTC) is the largest tech conference between Toronto and Calgary. 
In its 31st year, this major tournament hosted by Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association boasts 128 teams, including entries from across Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund hosted a conference and trade show designed to foster growth opportunities, form new connections and promote upcoming business opportunities in the region.
Snowday on the Waterfront brings people together to celebrate all that is winter. Elevating the experience further, the installation of temporary public art snow sculptures created by artists and community groups helps transform the winter event into an open-air art gallery. 
This tournament featured 8 U15AAA hockey teams from Canada and the US. Teams will come from Winnipeg, MB, Pilot Mound, MB, Sault St. Marie, ON, Edina, MN, Maple Grove, MN, Hermantown, MN, and Osseo, MN.
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,750 in funding support from the Tourism Development Fund for the 2022 UBC National Apprenticeship Competition.
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,000 to the Silver Islet Harbour Association
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,000 to the Splish Splash Water Park
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $4,000 in funding support for the 2022 Martial Arts and Health Expo.
CEDC Tourism Development FUND provides $5,000 to the high noon 24hr trail race & relay
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $50,000 in funding support to the Wake the Giant Music Festival 2022
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $10,100 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to the Shuniah Forty Miner. 
CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $10,000 in funding support to the Digital Transformation Conference (DTC)
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are please to provide $6,000 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to the OCAA Cross Country Running Championship 2022. 
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are please to provide $10,000 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to Prosperity Northwest 2023. 
CEDC MAT Fund provides Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club with $250,000 in support of the Trowbridge Forest Master Plan
CEDC MAT Fund provides the Kam River Fighting Walleye with $2,500
CEDC MAT Fund provides the Thunder Bay & Area Food Strategy with over $40,000 to promote local food sector 
| Other Funding Programs |
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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. 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. 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. 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 Ontario Trillium Foundation Starter Company Plus Economic Development Fund Downtown & Core Area Improvement Grants 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 Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) *Updated May 30th, 2025 |
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