RED Grant Funding Secured

Grant funding will aim to boost workforce development across Muskoka

April 5, 2023 (Muskoka, ON) - The District of Muskoka in partnership with the Town of Bracebridge, Town of Gravenhurst, Town of Huntsville, Township of Georgian Bay, Township of Lake of Bays, and Township of Muskoka Lakes is taking proactive steps to address the challenges and barriers in the changing workforce. The collaborative development of a regional workforce plan is underway to focus on attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce in the region.

Funding has been secured through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs’ Rural Economic Development (RED) program to develop a new, Muskoka-specific regional job board and a regional workforce strategy and implementation plan.

“This funding is a testament to the provincial government's commitment to ensuring that rural and small-town communities have the necessary tools to attract and retain workers. We're working collaboratively with our municipal partners across Parry Sound-Muskoka to ensure that our communities have the resources they need to grow and prosper.”

– Graydon Smith, MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka.

This RED grant funding will support the development of a comprehensive workforce development strategy and implementation plan to address Muskoka-specific needs and challenges. The plan will consider existing programming across the District as well as best practices in other areas, and will guide the implementation of future workforce programs and initiatives in Muskoka.

Collaborative Approach to Addressing Barriers and Challenges 

The aim of this initiative is to foster a coordinated approach towards addressing the challenges of the changing workforce in Muskoka. To ensure the success of these critical projects, the partners will provide leadership and coordination while working closely with local businesses, institutions, organizations, and partners to ensure collaboration across Muskoka.

“It's no secret there are challenges finding workers in some important industries across Ontario, and Muskoka is no exception. This funding allows us to launch a collaborative effort with our area municipalities to address these challenges and help Muskoka residents and businesses find work and workers.” – Jeff Lehman, Chair – District of Muskoka

About Ontario’s RED Program:

The RED program provides cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario, and opens doors to rural economic development through: 

• funding assistance to address barriers to economic development, better position rural communities to attract and retain jobs and investment, and enhance economic growth
• funding to build community capacity and support for economic development in Ontario’s rural communities
• investments in rural communities to help diversify and grow local economies – making economic growth more inclusive so rural Ontario continues to share in the province’s economic prosperity.

Stay tuned for more information about how we will put this grant funding to work. More information will be available at www.engagemuskoka.ca