In early June, Haldimand County was successful in its application for the FedDev Ontario Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). The County has received a grant to be used for tourism marketing. The funding was available to Destination Marketing Organizations across Ontario to help promote tourism which has experienced significant impacts since the start of the pandemic.

As part of this funding, Haldimand County’s Economic and Development and Tourism division has been hard at work debuting a new ‘Real. Local.’ advertising campaign. The campaign features a new graphic that helps to promote a unified marketing message through print media, social media, and radio campaigns that is inclusive of all Haldimand County businesses.

“Our hope is that by including this graphic into our marketing campaigns, it will bring together all Haldimand County businesses as a cohesive group, promoting to locals and neighbours that Haldimand businesses are open,” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism. “It is important we are all supporting one another, and promoting Haldimand County as a whole”.

The goal of the marketing initiative is to reignite the local economy and showcase all of the amazing businesses and unique experiences that exist in Haldimand County. The County’s Economic Development Division has published two print campaigns thus far highlighting local food and unique retail experiences, and have created interactive web pages with the same information at www.tourismhaldimand.ca.

In addition, local social media and radio campaigns have been launched to encourage residents to shop locally. As re-opening plans continue, and we are ready to welcome visitors back, the campaign will eventually expand to include more urban areas in southern Ontario.

Local business owners are welcome and encouraged to utilize the ‘Real. Haldimand. Local.’ graphic and incorporate it into their own marketing. Local business owners can download this graphic from www.businesshaldimand.ca.

For more information on FedDev Ontario, visit the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund website.