Tourism Development Fund Guidelines
Background
With the Province of Ontario’s passage of Bill 127, the Stronger Healthier Ontario Act, municipalities were authorized to establish a transient accommodation tax within their jurisdictions. The implementation and administration of the accommodation tax is authorized under Section 400.1 of the Municipal Act and Ontario Regulation 435/17.
Where a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) by-law is in place the tax is mandatory and providers are obligated to collect the tax from purchasers of accommodation and remit the tax to the municipality. Municipalities are required to share the revenues with eligible not for profit tourism entities for the exclusive purpose of promoting tourism and product development within the municipality.
In Greater Sudbury, Council designated the City of Greater Sudbury Community Economic Development Corporation (CGSCDC, operating as Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, or GSDC) as its Eligible Tourism Entity. The GSDC, as an existing non-profit board with an economic development mandate that has long encompassed tourism as a priority, took on the responsibility for the investment of the applicable funds for the purposes of promoting and growing the tourism industry in Greater Sudbury.
The Tourism Development Fund was established for the purposes of promoting and growing the tourism industry in Greater Sudbury. To guide investments by the GSDC, its established Tourism Development Committee, updated the Tourism Strategy 2019-2023 with values and goals to achieve growth in the sector. Familiarize yourself with the Tourism Strategy 2019-2023 found online at www.investsudbury.ca
Program Objectives
To provide funding support in line with the priorities identified in the Tourism Strategy in order to foster the growth and development of the tourism sector. How does your project align?
Values | |
Quality | We stand behind the quality of our products, services and experiences, and these create a community where we want to live, work and visit (play). |
Diversity | We celebrate the diversity of our heritage and our future. |
Engaged | We have an engaged community that participates and supports our success. |
Authentic | We embrace our northern roots and showcase an authentic Sudbury for all. |
Strategic Goals | |
Investment | We will invest in facilities, spaces, and initiatives to support the growth of tourism. |
Destination & Product Development | We will strengthen the tourism industry through proactive destination and product development. |
Marketing & Promotions | We will implement strategic marketing and promotion initiatives to target key market segments. |
Workforce & Ambassadorship | We will enhance workforce capacity and inspire a community of ambassadors. |
NOTE:
- Granting of assistance in any one year or over severalyears is not to be interpreted as a commitment to future years’ funding.
- Decisions regarding the Tourism Strategy are recommended by the Tourism Development Committee and ratified by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation.
- Some exemptions to the eligibility criteria may apply and are at the discretion of the committee. Please contact staff should you have any questions.
Eligibility
Grants are being considered for product development and major event bid or hosting. All projects must show broader community impact not solely increasing the benefit of one organization.
Product Development Projects
Projects may be either Planning, Start-up/Expansion, or Capital.
Planning: Support for feasibility studies and business plans that investigate the potential for the development of increased visitation and/or hotel room nights.
Start-up/ Expansion: Support for new/enhanced projects that will increase visitation and/or hotel room nights. (eg. new festival/event, infrastructure, marketing and packaging costs).
Capital: Support the capital costs associated with the development of increased visitation and/or hotel room nights.
*Note - Operating support is not being considered at this time.
Event Bid or Hosting Projects
Project may be either for bid submissions or for hosting.
Bid Submission: Support for costs of development and submissions of bids to host future meetings, conventions or sporting events (eg. bid fees, familiarization tours, general bid requirements).
Hosting: Support for hosting events awarded through bids or have been designated as significant by the Tourism Development Committee and City; includes capital and operating expenses, including, but not limited to, event rights fees, technical estimates/reports, facilities to be built or upgraded, equipment, hospitality, etc..
Applicants
Tourism Development Fund is open to for-profit, not-for-profit, and both public and private sector and partnerships with the City of Greater Sudbury.
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria to achieve the following results to grow tourism in Sudbury, where applicable:
- Increase in tourism visitation, overnight stays and visitor spending
- Generates economic impact from the projector event
- Provide positive regional, provincial, national or international exposure
- Enhance Sudbury’s tourism offering to attract visitors
- Strengthens Sudbury’s position as a destination
- Support or creation of direct and/or indirect jobs
Applicants can apply for funding directly to the Tourism Development Committee (TDC) who will make approval recommendations to the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC).
The Tourism Development Fund is a discretionary program with a limited funding allocation. A project or event that meets all program criteria may not be approved for funding as other projects may more effectively meet the criteria.
Funding
Legal structure | Min Contribution | Max Funding | Holdback Required |
Not for Profit | 10% | Projects with a total value less than or equal to $10,000 are eligible for up to 75 per cent funding. Projects with a total value between $10,001 and $25,000 are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding. Projects with a total value in excess of $25,000 are eligible for up to 25 per cent funding. | Min 10% |
Private Sector | 50% | All projects are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding | Up to 100% Reimbursement based |
Public Sector | 50% | All projects are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding | Up to 100% Reimbursement based |
Partnerships | Based on lead applicant structure |
Projects seeking a total contribution of $250,000 or more from the GSDC require Council endorsement. Projects requesting support over more than one calendar year will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. No more than one third of TDC’s annual funding allocation can be committed to multi-year projects.
In kind contributions may be included for consideration but will not be eligible toward contribution.
Eligible Costs
- Research or consulting services related to feasibility or business planning
- Hosting fees to events rightsholders
- Marketing and promotion costs
- Rental, lease or purchase of equipment/infrastructure
- Project specific licenses and permits
- Travel and registration expenses
- Fees for artists, speakers and related costs
- Signage and wayfinding costs
- Salary costs that can be directly linked to project deliverables
- Business hospitality expenses (food & beverage, gifts, transportation)
- Training and development costs related to project
- Defined event legacy funding (case by case basis)
Ineligible Costs
- Alcohol for re-sale
- Pre-existing deficit funding (grantor loan)
- Operating costs
- Legal, audit, or interest fees
- Donations
- Prize money
- Expenses related to charitable component (i.e. lottery licenses and raffle expenses)
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online. A two-phase application process will be required.
- Priority will be given to applicants who apply a minimum of 90-days out from the date of their event or start of the project. This will allow lead time for evaluation of potential funding and then if funding is approved, ensure the logistics and marketing required to attract out-of-town participants and/or spectators can be met for a successful tourism event.
- All funding shall be for future projects. Retroactive funding will not be considered.
- All completed applications will be reviewed by the GSDC’s Tourism Development Committee.
- Applicants will be required to make a presentation to the committee as part of the review process.
- Applications, if recommended by the Tourism Development Committee, will be forwarded to the GSDC Board for final approval. If additional information is requested or the project is not recommended, City of Greater Sudbury Tourism Staff will communicate results with applicants.
- Approved projects will be confirmed through funding agreements and clearly outline deliverables and reporting. A minimum of 10% of the project will be held back until project completion.
For more information, please email GSDC@greatersudbury.ca.
Tourism Development Fund
Tourism Development Fund Guidelines
Background
With the Province of Ontario’s passage of Bill 127, the Stronger Healthier Ontario Act, municipalities were authorized to establish a transient accommodation tax within their jurisdictions. The implementation and administration of the accommodation tax is authorized under Section 400.1 of the Municipal Act and Ontario Regulation 435/17.
Where a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) by-law is in place the tax is mandatory and providers are obligated to collect the tax from purchasers of accommodation and remit the tax to the municipality. Municipalities are required to share the revenues with eligible not for profit tourism entities for the exclusive purpose of promoting tourism and product development within the municipality.
In Greater Sudbury, Council designated the City of Greater Sudbury Community Economic Development Corporation (CGSCDC, operating as Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, or GSDC) as its Eligible Tourism Entity. The GSDC, as an existing non-profit board with an economic development mandate that has long encompassed tourism as a priority, took on the responsibility for the investment of the applicable funds for the purposes of promoting and growing the tourism industry in Greater Sudbury.
The Tourism Development Fund was established for the purposes of promoting and growing the tourism industry in Greater Sudbury. To guide investments by the GSDC, its established Tourism Development Committee, updated the Tourism Strategy 2019-2023 with values and goals to achieve growth in the sector. Familiarize yourself with the Tourism Strategy 2019-2023 found online at www.investsudbury.ca
Program Objectives
To provide funding support in line with the priorities identified in the Tourism Strategy in order to foster the growth and development of the tourism sector. How does your project align?
Values | |
Quality | We stand behind the quality of our products, services and experiences, and these create a community where we want to live, work and visit (play). |
Diversity | We celebrate the diversity of our heritage and our future. |
Engaged | We have an engaged community that participates and supports our success. |
Authentic | We embrace our northern roots and showcase an authentic Sudbury for all. |
Strategic Goals | |
Investment | We will invest in facilities, spaces, and initiatives to support the growth of tourism. |
Destination & Product Development | We will strengthen the tourism industry through proactive destination and product development. |
Marketing & Promotions | We will implement strategic marketing and promotion initiatives to target key market segments. |
Workforce & Ambassadorship | We will enhance workforce capacity and inspire a community of ambassadors. |
NOTE:
- Granting of assistance in any one year or over severalyears is not to be interpreted as a commitment to future years’ funding.
- Decisions regarding the Tourism Strategy are recommended by the Tourism Development Committee and ratified by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation.
- Some exemptions to the eligibility criteria may apply and are at the discretion of the committee. Please contact staff should you have any questions.
Eligibility
Grants are being considered for product development and major event bid or hosting. All projects must show broader community impact not solely increasing the benefit of one organization.
Product Development Projects
Projects may be either Planning, Start-up/Expansion, or Capital.
Planning: Support for feasibility studies and business plans that investigate the potential for the development of increased visitation and/or hotel room nights.
Start-up/ Expansion: Support for new/enhanced projects that will increase visitation and/or hotel room nights. (eg. new festival/event, infrastructure, marketing and packaging costs).
Capital: Support the capital costs associated with the development of increased visitation and/or hotel room nights.
*Note - Operating support is not being considered at this time.
Event Bid or Hosting Projects
Project may be either for bid submissions or for hosting.
Bid Submission: Support for costs of development and submissions of bids to host future meetings, conventions or sporting events (eg. bid fees, familiarization tours, general bid requirements).
Hosting: Support for hosting events awarded through bids or have been designated as significant by the Tourism Development Committee and City; includes capital and operating expenses, including, but not limited to, event rights fees, technical estimates/reports, facilities to be built or upgraded, equipment, hospitality, etc..
Applicants
Tourism Development Fund is open to for-profit, not-for-profit, and both public and private sector and partnerships with the City of Greater Sudbury.
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria to achieve the following results to grow tourism in Sudbury, where applicable:
- Increase in tourism visitation, overnight stays and visitor spending
- Generates economic impact from the projector event
- Provide positive regional, provincial, national or international exposure
- Enhance Sudbury’s tourism offering to attract visitors
- Strengthens Sudbury’s position as a destination
- Support or creation of direct and/or indirect jobs
Applicants can apply for funding directly to the Tourism Development Committee (TDC) who will make approval recommendations to the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC).
The Tourism Development Fund is a discretionary program with a limited funding allocation. A project or event that meets all program criteria may not be approved for funding as other projects may more effectively meet the criteria.
Funding
Legal structure | Min Contribution | Max Funding | Holdback Required |
Not for Profit | 10% | Projects with a total value less than or equal to $10,000 are eligible for up to 75 per cent funding. Projects with a total value between $10,001 and $25,000 are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding. Projects with a total value in excess of $25,000 are eligible for up to 25 per cent funding. | Min 10% |
Private Sector | 50% | All projects are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding | Up to 100% Reimbursement based |
Public Sector | 50% | All projects are eligible for up to 50 per cent funding | Up to 100% Reimbursement based |
Partnerships | Based on lead applicant structure |
Projects seeking a total contribution of $250,000 or more from the GSDC require Council endorsement. Projects requesting support over more than one calendar year will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. No more than one third of TDC’s annual funding allocation can be committed to multi-year projects.
In kind contributions may be included for consideration but will not be eligible toward contribution.
Eligible Costs
- Research or consulting services related to feasibility or business planning
- Hosting fees to events rightsholders
- Marketing and promotion costs
- Rental, lease or purchase of equipment/infrastructure
- Project specific licenses and permits
- Travel and registration expenses
- Fees for artists, speakers and related costs
- Signage and wayfinding costs
- Salary costs that can be directly linked to project deliverables
- Business hospitality expenses (food & beverage, gifts, transportation)
- Training and development costs related to project
- Defined event legacy funding (case by case basis)
Ineligible Costs
- Alcohol for re-sale
- Pre-existing deficit funding (grantor loan)
- Operating costs
- Legal, audit, or interest fees
- Donations
- Prize money
- Expenses related to charitable component (i.e. lottery licenses and raffle expenses)
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online. A two-phase application process will be required.
- Priority will be given to applicants who apply a minimum of 90-days out from the date of their event or start of the project. This will allow lead time for evaluation of potential funding and then if funding is approved, ensure the logistics and marketing required to attract out-of-town participants and/or spectators can be met for a successful tourism event.
- All funding shall be for future projects. Retroactive funding will not be considered.
- All completed applications will be reviewed by the GSDC’s Tourism Development Committee.
- Applicants will be required to make a presentation to the committee as part of the review process.
- Applications, if recommended by the Tourism Development Committee, will be forwarded to the GSDC Board for final approval. If additional information is requested or the project is not recommended, City of Greater Sudbury Tourism Staff will communicate results with applicants.
- Approved projects will be confirmed through funding agreements and clearly outline deliverables and reporting. A minimum of 10% of the project will be held back until project completion.
For more information, please email GSDC@greatersudbury.ca.