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Tourism Development Fund Moves Forward Through Uncertain Times

April 7, 2020
By Amy Malyon

Cornwall Ontario – The Tourism Development Corporation of Cornwall (TDCC) met recently by conference call to discuss a number of items. The Board reviewed applications, and discussed refining the application process as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 situation is having a dramatic effect on events, tourism businesses and the tourism industry as a whole. These are uncertain times as we do not know how long measures will be in place. We have to move forward as best we can to ensure we are ready to welcome visitors once people are able to travel,” said Etienne Saint-Aubin, TDCC Chair.
Some events that have all ready received funding have been forced to postpone until next year. The TDCC plans to work with each of those affected applicants to determine the best course of action.

“As we are uncertain how long this will last, the Board has agreed to review applications as scheduled, but will make all future funding awards conditional on the event taking place,” Saint-Aubin said. “We are also very aware that this pandemic will have a huge effect on the funds that will be available for distribution in 2021, so this is also being taken into account in decisions we are making now.”

As previously announced the TDCC Board will take a brief pause on accepting applications for the month of April to focus on refining the terms, conditions and criteria of the Fund. Unless further restrictions are issued by the government, the Board will once again receive applications beginning May 1st. The Board, along with members of the Advisory Committee will be working to develop the refined application process in a short period of time. The new application and any changes to the process will be announced through a media release and made available on the TDF web page, www.cornwalltourism.com/tdf.

The Board approved 2 applications at the March meeting for conditional funding. Should these events take place they will receive funding as follows:

Cornwall Orioles Spring Tournament – $5,000
Beer, Bourbon, BBQ and Blues Festival – $10,000

The TDCC Board thanks all those that are continuing to work on future events and wishes the best to everyone, especially to the tourism businesses experiencing hardship in these unprecedented times.

About the Tourism Development Fund

The Cornwall Tourism Development Fund was established in 2019 to support efforts to grow tourism activity in the City of Cornwall. The fund includes both a Fesitval & Events stream as well as an Attractions & Tourism Product Development stream. The fund is managed by the Tourism Development Corporation of Cornwall, a not-for-profit corporation.

For additional information on the Tourism Development Fund, please visit