Bruce County, in partnership with Bruce Power, Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) and the Tourism Innovation Lab, has launched the 8th edition of the Bruce County Spark Mentorship and Grants Program for local entrepreneurs and community organizations.
The program supports innovative tourism ideas that enhance visitor experiences across Bruce County. Successful applicants will receive $3,000 in seed funding, 3 months of one-on-one mentorship from an experienced tourism leader, and access to industry connections to help bring their ideas to life. Applications are open until Nov. 5.
“Great destinations are built by people who see possibility and have the support to act on it,” says Executive Director of Regional Tourism Organization 7 Minerva Ward. “The Spark program helps turn bold local ideas into compelling visitor experiences that strengthen communities, encourage longer stays and create new reasons to explore Bruce County throughout the year.”
Since launching in 2019, the program has awarded more than $60,000 in funding to 21 local tourism projects across the county. Previous recipients include the Kincardine Art Crawl and Sally’s Kitchen Food Truck, which officially launched at Saugeen Beach earlier this year.
“Some of Bruce County’s most successful tourism experiences started as ideas from people who saw an opportunity to showcase their community in a new way,” says Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau. “The Spark program helps create a pathway for those ideas to grow, giving local innovators the chance to shape the future of tourism in our region.”
Priority will be given to projects that create new attractions and experiences, encourage longer stays and attract more visitors outside the busy summer season. Applicants may come from businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups looking to launch or expand tourism-focused initiatives. Shortlisted applicants will present their ideas during a virtual pitch session on Nov. 26, after which a panel will select 3 winning projects.