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Spruce the Bruce

Funding for downtown and tourism improvements

Offered by
Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7)
Official source: brucecounty.on.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Businesses and property owners
See full eligibility

Overview

Bruce County supports downtown improvement, tourism, accessibility, and agri-food projects. Funding can reach up to $10,000, depending on the grant stream and project type.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$10,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Access new markets
  • Reach a new target audience
  • Launch or market a product/service
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
For-profit business

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Spruce the Bruce applications closed and checklist updated

Spruce the Bruce now says applications are closed, and the application checklist now includes proof of permit application.

See more

The Business Accessibility Adaptability Grant page now says Spruce the Bruce applications are closed, replacing the earlier notice that funding remained available in three municipalities. The eligibility and funding notes also now exclude labour completed by immediate family members. The Spruce the Bruce page now says a complete application must include proof of permit application, alongside the existing quotes, plans, and designs requirements.

Official source: brucecounty.on.ca
September 28, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Businesses and property owners
  • Municipalities and local entities
  • Not-for-profits and charities serving visitors
  • Business improvement areas and chambers of commerce

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants outside the eligible Bruce County areas.
  • Projects with partners outside Bruce County, for the Community Marketing Grant.
  • Projects generating advertising or promotional revenue for applicants.

Eligible expenses

  • Design and production of marketing collateral, including graphics design, videography, photography, printing, and production of video or reels
  • Paid promotion through marketing channels, including digital, print, and radio advertisements or promotions
  • Supplies and labour related to the development of a new unit or expansion of existing units
  • Supplies and labour related to necessary building code or fire code requirements

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Work started before approval, including purchasing any materials
  • Temporary, removable, or consumable project materials or elements
  • New building construction
  • General maintenance repairs
  • Projects that do not comply with the applicable community toolkit branding elements

Eligible geographic areas

  • Bruce County
  • Arran-Elderslie
  • Brockton
  • Huron-Kinloss
  • Kincardine
  • Northern Bruce Peninsula
  • Saugeen Shores
  • South Bruce
  • South Bruce Peninsula

Activities funded

  • Downtown façade and storefront improvements.
  • Signage, awnings, patios, and streetscape upgrades.
  • Accessibility improvements for commercial buildings.
  • Tourism, agri-food, and visitor-experience enhancements.
  • Community marketing and destination infrastructure projects.

How to apply

  • Confirm the project location is within an eligible CIPA or municipality and that the project meets the eligible project components.
  • Review the applicable community branding guidelines.
  • Obtain all necessary municipal and / or County permits, contractor quotes, and designs or renderings or inspirations.
  • Apply for the applicable grant category.

Documents Needed

  • All necessary quotes
  • Project plans
  • Designs / renderings / inspirations
  • Before photos
  • Proof of permit application

Selection criteria

  • First-come, first-served for complete applications.
  • Eligibility and completeness review.
  • Project must fit grant components and branding guidelines.
  • Only eligible projects proceed to approval.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
  • Completed applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If approved, a Letter of Offer is sent for signing.
  • Project completion must be submitted online with invoices or receipts and photos.
  • Funding is issued after spend and work are confirmed.

Additional information

  • Funding is limited and fully allocated for some streams.
  • Applications are first-come, first-served when complete.
  • A Letter of Offer must be signed before work begins.
  • Project work must be completed by October 31.

Contacts

info@sprucethebruce.com

Official sources

brucecounty.on.ca

Supporting document

RTO7 Wayfinding Signage Standards and Specifications
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the Spruce the Bruce Program

What is the Spruce the Bruce?

Bruce County supports downtown improvement, tourism, accessibility, and agri-food projects. Funding can reach up to $10,000, depending on the grant stream and project type.

How much funding can be received?

Spruce the Bruce Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Spruce the Bruce program?

To be eligible for the Spruce the Bruce program, you must: Located in an eligible Bruce County area. Complete application with all quotes, project plans, designs, and proof of permit application. Project must follow applicable branding guidelines.

What expenses are eligible under Spruce the Bruce?

Design and production of marketing collateral, including graphics design, videography, photography, printing, and production of video or reels Paid promotion through marketing channels, including digital, print, and radio advertisements or promotions Supplies and labour related to the development of a new unit or expansion of existing units Supplies and labour related to necessary building code or fire code requirements

Who can I contact for more information about the Spruce the Bruce?

You can contact Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) by email at info@sprucethebruce.com.

Where is the Spruce the Bruce available?

The Spruce the Bruce program is available the province of Ontario.

Who are the financial supporters of the Spruce the Bruce?

Spruce the Bruce is funded by Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7)