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Two community groups receive federal funds to bankroll key projects

August 21, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Paula Brown 

Two Dufferin County organizations have been awarded a federal grant to help support a pair of key initiatives over the next few months. 

The Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT) announced on July 27 that their social innovation project, Dufferin Biz Hub was awarded government funding through the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). IRP is a grant funded by the Government of Canada that looks to support organizations as they work to solve social, cultural and environmental challenges across Canada.

“We were thrilled to get the grant,” said Diana Morris, Executive Director of Dufferin Board of Trade and Dufferin Biz Hub. “It was highly competitive.” 

Streams Community Hub was also announced as an IRP grant recipient. 

Dufferin Biz Hub and Streams Community Hub’s applications for the grant were two of 1,350 that were submitted, and two of the 257 projects that were awarded the funding across Canada. 

“It was perfect timing for us to have the grants,” said Morris. “We really feel that the business hub will serve a need in Dufferin County.”

Dufferin Biz Hub, is a project put together by the Dufferin Board of Trade that is working to support entrepreneurship, and small businesses in Dufferin County. The building space of the Dufferin Biz Hub offers workspace rentals, meeting room rentals, and mailing addresses for businesses in the community. 

“Through the business hub, we’re able to support women, newcomers, start up entrepreneurs, new Canadians, and female entrepreneurs as well as everyone who’s looking to start businesses, or expand their businesses,” said Morris. “That in turn helps the economy and our community as a whole.” 

Dufferin Biz Hub received $16,000, which will be used for marketing and branding, as well as organizing the rental space with a professional organizer and a possible expansion of the Hub. 

Streams Community Hub, is an arts and youth focused charity based in Shelburne that has been around for about five years. Streams Community Hub received $20,000 from the IRP grant, which will go towards funding a consultant. 

“We are very excited to be able to use these funds to hear the voices of the community in shaping the vision for the future of our organization,” said Juli-Anne James, President of Streams Community Hub. 

In early 2020 the group went to Shelburne Town Council to ask for donated land to build an arts facility, estimated to cost between $4 million and $6 million, which was accepted by council. Since it was founded, Streams Community Hub has offered creative art camps and is now looking to grow through the facility.

“We really believe in the power of the arts, to help young people discover their purpose and their passion and their self-esteem and self-confidence,” said James. 

James says that the funding from the grant will go toward a consultant to put together a multi-year strategic plan for the organization.  Streams Community Hub also plans to apply for other funds to go towards building costs of the facility. James says that Streams Community Hub was looking to begin construction in spring 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now looking at 2022 for a start date. 

An official grand opening of Dufferin Biz Hub will happen on Aug. 18 at its location of 246372 Hockley Rd. in Mono. Tours of the Hub will happen from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.


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