Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Overcast and 4°C

>>more weather info

Town looks at rejoining economic alliance

See more benefit now for reduced membership

BY Maija Hoggett, Staff January 20, 2010 13:01

SOUTH SIMCOE - Tourism opportunities have New Tecumseth looking at rejoining the South Simcoe Economic Alliance after letting its membership lapse last year.

New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern said there is value in rejoining the economic alliance, which the town opted out during the 2009 budget talks. Council decided the town wasn't getting enough value out of the alliance for the membership fee.

"I think there's more than one initiative in here that's going to be of value to the municipality," said MacEachern.

To take part in the South Simcoe Economic Alliance for 2010, the cost to the town is $7,135. It’s a significant reduction from the $20,000 the town has paid in the past. A report explained that the alliance didn't carry out a number of activities last year, which has resulted in "sizeable carryover of funds."

To offset the cost of rejoining the South Simcoe Economic Alliance, MacEachern said the town could look at discontinuing its Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) membership.

Coun. Richard Norcross questioned ending the FCM membership. He said the town has been looking at community centre funding with the federation and wonders if discontinuing the membership would hurt those efforts.

When the town opted out of the South Simcoe Economic Alliance last year, $10,000 of the membership cost was put towards the town's economic development committee, with the rest used to reduce last year's taxation impact.

Starting a year ago, a town report said that the tourism working group has been meeting to look at ways to help tourism operators and businesses in New Tecumseth. From those efforts, a tourism co-ordination organization was created in November and received a grant from the Community Adjustment Fund.

Town clerk Gayla McDonald said the local tourism group sparked interest in neighbouring Bradford West Gwillimbury. Georgian Downs and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation are also anxious to see a tourism initiative in South Simcoe.

More Alliston Herald Articles

Shannon back behind Hornets' bench
ALLISTON - On the heels of what can only be described as a devastating and unusual 5-0 loss to the Penetang Kings Wednesday night in game three of the...

Residents standing up for stand of trees
Residents of a Tioga-area subdivision are up in arms over the loss of trees in their neighbourhood. According to some of the residents of Pine Plains...

Arts Beat - March 11 to March 18, 2010
At The Gibson Centre Jason Blaine, top CMT country artist, March 25, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Thanks to candidate for weighing in on transit issue
And by the way, Mr. McInnes, we have heard this campaign song before and pardon me if I am a bit skeptical - once bitten, twice shy. So, just remember...

Thump of the teenage mating ritual shakes house
Is this a mating ritual with young men? Does this somehow make young, pretty girls jump into your car?

Family's story of emigration similar to many others in the 1800s
Young Matthew, who was born by the Toronto wharf, did not share the family love of farming. He loved to work with wood but not cutting trees down. He...

Only half measures on waste diversion
The meetings in Simcoe County to discover the best waste management strategy asked the wrong question.

Flicks and Clicks
Believe it or not, there was once a time when game developers actually forced you to figure things out on your own with no in-game maps or tutorials...

Nothing makes you squirm like he bright lights of complete honesty
Nothing makes me feel more deceitful than being completely honest. Especially when the government is watching.

Bare bones
The Ontario Liberal government's throne speech Monday was a little heavy on bones and light on meat.

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.