Municipality of Port Hope brightens historic downtown main streets this holiday season

For Immediate Release
Friday, November 29 - Port Hope, ON

The Heart of the Experience receives My Main Street support to draw visitors and increase vibrancy in the Municipality of Port Hope.

The Municipality of Port Hope is pleased to announce that our Downtown – The Heart of the Experience project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and has received support to make a lasting impact on the vibrant, historic downtown of Port Hope. This support will allow the Municipality to deliver events and enhancements to the downtown core throughout its 2024 reconstruction, including the Candlelight Festival, which kicks off on November 29. Additionally, creative art installations and activations have been featured throughout the area in partnership with Critical Mass Art and other local organizations, inviting both resident and visitor engagement.

Further activities will support main street businesses during and after the reconstruction, helping to attract residents and visitors to the area and contributing to the economic vitality of the community.

For details about upcoming events in Port Hope, visit porthope.ca/events.

My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.

Quotes

"Now more than ever, we need to support our local main street businesses as we continue with Phase Three of the Walton Street reconstruction into 2025. Our Candlelight Festival, right in the heart of our downtown, is a perfect opportunity to come together as a community. We are incredibly grateful for the My Main Street support, which allows us to enhance this year's program and collaborate with our wonderful organizations to support our businesses through this reconstruction project. I hope everyone will join in this year's celebration as we honour the resilience and spirit of our community."
- Olena Hankivsky, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope

“A community's resilience is anchored in its main street, and investing in them fosters economic prosperity and growth. Projects like Port Hope’s “The Heart of the Experience” supported through My Main Street’s Community Activator initiative use intentional and creative placemaking to revitalize their neighborhoods and public spaces. Our program’s investment provides an opportunity for local change makers to build healthy, robust main street communities, and drive social cohesion and economic recovery where it’s needed most.”
- Mary W. Rowe, CEO and President, Canadian Urban Institute

“The Canadian Urban Institute, with support from the Government of Canada, is investing in community projects, such as Port Hope’s “The Heart of the Experience.” These projects attract visitors to our main streets, support local businesses, and revitalize our communities – helping shops, restaurants and local economies thrive. Together, we’re building stronger, more vibrant communities.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Associated Links

Media Contacts

Kate Ingram, Manager, Communications
Municipality of Port Hope
905-885-4544 x2248
email

Tamra Barlow, Communications Coordinator
Municipality of Port Hope
905-885-4544 x2220
email

Samantha Staresincic, Communications Manager
My Main Street
email

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
email

Background:

About My Main Street: The My Main Street program has returned with an additional Government of Canada investment, building on an initial investment in 2021, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to spur local economic recovery. To date, the initial investment has supported nearly 4,500 businesses and organizations, nearly 7,500 jobs and leveraged nearly $19 million in additional investment. The funding aims to revitalize neighbourhood main streets with a healthy retail mix while generating inclusive economic opportunities. The program now features two streams – Business Sustainability and the Community Activator. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

About Canadian Urban Institute (CUI): The Canadian Urban Institute is a leading organization dedicated to advancing urban solutions. CUI collaborates with city builders, researchers, and community leaders to create thriving, equitable, and sustainable urban spaces across Canada.

About FedDev Ontario: For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.