Spark Program Offers Grants and Mentorships to “Spark” New Sustainable Tourism Ideas for Bruce County

A sixth round of the “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program has been launched to encourage Bruce County entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new sustainable tourism ideas for the region.

The Bruce County “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program is a partnership between Bruce County, Bruce Power, Bruce Grey Simcoe Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7), Government of Ontario and the Tourism Innovation Lab.

“Bruce County is honoured to be able to provide grants and mentorship via the “Spark” program to help inspire and support entrepreneurs with the development of sustainable tourism experiences” says Bruce County Warden, Chris Peabody. “We are excited to join forces with Tourism Innovation Lab, Bruce Power, Government of Ontario and Bruce Grey Simcoe Regional Tourism Organization to offer this program again in 2024.”

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, mentorship and additional partner support to help get them started. In 2023, three Bruce County entrepreneurs were selected to develop new offerings for the region including farm stay accommodations, culinary getaway package, and an arts & culture program.

“Since 2019, we have been inspired by the creativity, passion, and innovative spirit of our Bruce County "Spark" Program winners. It has been a pleasure to work with our past recipients, and we look forward to seeing the new sustainable tourism ideas that come forward this year,” said Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead at the Tourism Innovation Lab.

Organizers are looking for sustainable tourism ideas that will enhance Bruce County’s current tourism offerings, create high-quality, low impact tourism experiences, address gaps in tourism products and services, motivate longer stays and repeat visits, and increase shoulder season visits and tourism spending.

“The Spark Mentorship and Grants Program is an excellent way for local entrepreneurs to turn tourism ideas into realities under the guidance of a business mentor,” said John Peevers, Bruce Power’s Director of Community and Media Relations, and Economic Development. “Innovation and mentorship aligns strongly with the Bruce Power culture and we are excited to support this project to foster collaboration and economic growth in our community.”

“RTO7 is pleased to continue to partner on the launch of the 6th Edition of the Bruce County Innovation Lab. We feel that this program creates a fantastic support system for people with new and innovative ideas that help build a sustainable tourism industry” said Bill Sullivan, CEO, RTO7.

Applications will be accepted from September 9th to October 24th, 2024. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

For more information on the Bruce County “Spark” Program and to register for an upcoming info session visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/bruce.

About Bruce Grey Simcoe (RTO7): Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) 7 is a non-profit organization overseen by a board of directors and fully funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. They are one of 11 RTO’s in Ontario supporting tourism growth in Bruce Grey and Simcoe Counties.  

About Tourism Innovation Lab: The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs in Canada. First launched in 2018, the Lab and its "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program are now offered across British Columbia and Ontario. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and is based in Windsor, ON. www.tourisminnovation.ca

About Bruce Power: Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About Bruce County: Bruce County is an upper-tier municipality in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, made up of eight lower-tier municipalities and 73,396 residents. The explorers who visit, live, and work here are the dreamers who take roads less travelled and see tried and true as an invitation to try something new. Be an Explorer and call Bruce County home.