Summerhayes Studios receives $10,000 through My Main Street

The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios receives $10,000 through My Main Street to support its main street small business

The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios is pleased to be receiving a non-repayable contribution of $10,000 through the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program. This contribution will allow The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios to support findings from the market research provided by My Main Street to drive economic growth and attract new customers to the business and the entire Port Colborne community.

On behalf of The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios, we would like to thank Olga Loeffen, the City of Port Colborne and the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario for supporting our local business. 

The My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program is delivered by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario with an overall Government of Canada investment of $23.25 million through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support the recovery and strength of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario.

Chris Summerhayes and his team have created a niche that downtown Port Colborne needed – a community art hub. By opening its doors, the Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios provides a space in the downtown core, nestled inside the beautiful, historic Guild Hall, where those beginning their art exploration can gather and learn alongside seasoned art enthusiasts., Enrollment is taking place for the fall semester classes starting with children as young as two years old, provided they are accompanied by a parent. The studio’s open-door policy for its Friday morning art gallery lets the community know it’s open for business and that its team is eager to meet the residents and share their passion for art.

Quotes

“Main streets play a vital role in growing local communities and economies for everyone. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in My Main Street and the small businesses the program serves, resulting in local economic growth and more vibrant neighbourhoods for Canadians and their families to call home.”The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Small businesses in Port Colborne play a vital role in the success of our local economy. Through My Main Street, our government, in collaboration with EDCO and CUI is committed to helping communities bring their main streets back to life by supporting businesses that will reanimate our neighbourhoods, creating jobs and driving economic growth for local economies.”

-           Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre

“The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is delighted to be delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to support local business and main streets across southern Ontario. Thanks to the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, local businesses will have access to resources to help create economic opportunities for these main street communities, which is an essential component to a successful local economy.”

-           Heather Lalonde, Chief Executive Officer for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario

“The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program and its non-refundable support is giving us the ability to purchase much-needed supplies, as well as an office computer and printer. Best of all, it is going to allow us to make much-needed changes to our studio space, including the opportunity to paint and install shelving to expand our storage. We are most excited about the removal of a pre-existing cafe bar counter as it will free up a significant piece of valuable studio space for our students and teachers. The My Main Street program has made it possible for us to take our dream and turn it into a reality much faster than we thought we ever could, and for this we are grateful.”

-      Chris Summerhayes, The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios            

“On behalf of the City of Port Colborne, I would like to extend a warm congratulations to Chris Summerhayes and The Art Guild – Summerhayes Studios for opening his art school inour community. Several acclaimed artists call Port Colborne home, some even world renowned, and connecting this community with residents who are passionate about pursuing visual arts is a priceless opportunity. We wish you all the best in the years to come!”

-      Bram Cotton, Economic Development Officer, City of Port Colborne

Associated Links

• https://www.facebook.com/Summerhayes-Studios-The-Art-Guild-100970582550160
• My Main Street
• EDCO
• FedDev Ontario

Media Contacts

My Main Street

Media@mymainstreet.ca

Edward Hutchinson

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Background:

Economic Developers Council of Ontario

The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is delivering the My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program stream, which is supporting the revitalization of main street communities and provides non-repayable contributions for more than 650 local businesses across southern Ontario. The program focuses on creating and maintaining vibrant and inclusive local main streets while providing residents, new entrepreneurs, and existing businesses with economic opportunities in our communities.

About FedDev Ontario

For 13 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 pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the City of Port Colborne

Located on the south coast of the scenic Niagara Region, with a mission to provide an exceptional small town experience in a big way, Niagara’s Port of Call has found the perfect balance – successful industrial and commercial sectors, comfortable and scenic residential areas, white sand beaches, unique culinary choices, the world class Sugarloaf Marina, fishing, golfing, trails, shopping districts along the historic Welland Canal and an energized festival and entertainment scene that includes live theatre – truly a community that adds to the overall Niagara experience. To learn how you can PORTicipate with us, visit our website.