Norfolk County continues to work locally with businesses and organizations that seek our assistance on downtown revitalization efforts.

Downtown Simcoe Revitalization

  • Oct 31, 2019 – Downtown Revitalization Team met. Minutes.
  • Sept 12, 2019 – Downtown Revitalization Team met. Minutes.
  • Aug 7, 2019 – Clean Up of Downtown Simcoe planned for 6pm in Kent Street Parking Lot
  • July 31, 2019 – Downtown Revitalization Team met. Discussed 2019 plans. Minutes.
  • July 2019 – Norfolk County Council agrees to support the Indwell redevelopment of the Norfolk Inn. Donations are also welcome from the general public.
  • July 12, 2019 – Food Truck Fridays return to downtown Simcoe.
  • July 9, 2019 – Norfolk County Council approves new Strategic Priorities, including focus on downtown revitalization efforts.
  • June 11, 2019 – Norfolk County Council approves new Economic Development Strategy, including a focus on downtown revitalization efforts.
  • Nov 27, 2018 – Downtown Simcoe property on Colborne Street North approved for incentive
  • Nov 13, 2018 – Downtown Simcoe property at 44 Argyle Street approved for incentive.
  • Nov 2, 2018 – Win This Space awarded to Groundswell Co-working in downtown Simcoe
  • Oct 30, 2018 – Downtown Simcoe property at 29 Peel Street approved for incentive.
  • Oct 18, 2018 – Sale of Norfolk Inn to create affordable housing and commercial space in downtown Simcoe
  • Sept 20, 2018 – Norfolk Popcorn Party organized in conjunction with Routes to Roots Film Festival
  • Sept 13, 2018 – Downtown Simcoe property at 22 Norfolk Street South approved for incentive.
  • July 23, 2018 – Norfolk County launches Win This Space initiative in downtown Simcoe.
  • July 2018 – Food Truck Fridays in downtown Simcoe.
  • January 23, 2018 – Norfolk County establishes Urban Renewal Partnership project, focusing on Downtown Simcoe Secondary Plan and other projects. Province of Ontario provides additional funding for downtown revitalization efforts.

Background

January 30, 2015 – Downtown Simcoe businesses met with Norfolk County elected representatives and staff to discuss establishing an action plan for the downtown.

April 9, 2015 – Businesses and County staff / elected representatives undertook walking tour of downtown Simcoe to gather ideas and solutions.

May 5, 2015 – Ideas from walking tour shared and discussed.

August 5, 2015 – Businesses supported Norfolk County preparing an action plan. Staff get to work preparing a document for next year’s budget.

December 1, 2015 – Draft Downtown Master Plan is circulated to businesses and stakeholder groups for feedback. Positive responses and support were received.

January 12, 2016 – Norfolk County Council-in-Committee reviewed a report proposing the development of a Norfolk County Downtown Master Plan.

February 29, 2016 – South Coast Business Coalition informed Council they will be taking a lead role in the revitalization efforts. It is understood that an update will occur in March. Council puts on hold further development of Master Plan.

May 3, 2016 – South Coast Business Coalition made verbal presentation about downtown revitalization to Norfolk County Council-in-Committee. The SCBC offered to take a lead role in the downtown revitalization effort. It has hired a consultant, Jeremy Freiburger of CoBALT Connects. As a result, the development of Norfolk County’s Downtown Master Plan was suspended until the report comes back from the SCBC.

August 5, 2016 – The South Coast Business Coalition asks business owners and employers in Norfolk County to complete a survey to explore ideas related to downtown revitalization.

January 27, 2017 – Norfolk County Council removes funding placeholder from 2017 budget for Downtown Revitalization, awaiting plan from South Coast Business Coalition.

May 29, 2017 – Representative of South Coast Business Coalition made verbal presentation to the Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Board. No written report will be coming forward.

January 23, 2018 – Norfolk County establishes Urban Renewal Partnership project, focusing on Downtown Simcoe Secondary Plan and other projects. Province of Ontario provides additional funding for downtown revitalization efforts.