The project focuses on Huron County and achieves one of the priorities from THRIVE 2022-2025 Economic Development Strategic Plan:

1. Re-engagement, education/skills development, attraction and/or retention of workforce;
2. Impacts business districts, key industry sectors and/or investment attraction readiness;
3. Advances community development, tourism sector development and/or the promotion of local food;
4. Projects focused on youth and/or newcomers building a stronger sense of community.

1. Applications will be open from March 10 to April 17, 2025. Apply to the 2025 SLED Program.
2. Coaching is available for all applicants.  We are happy to discuss your projects with you and provide guidance throughout the application process.  Please feel free to reach out to Rick Sickinger rsickinger@huroncounty.ca or Vicki Lass vlass@huroncounty.ca for assistance.
3. The applicant(s) will submit the final application to economicdevelopment@huroncounty.ca with subject line: “Applicant Name 2025 SLED Program”. Deadline to submit is April 17, 2025, 4:30 PM.
4. The panel of judges will consist of two Economic Development Board members and one Community Futures Huron Board member. All applicants will be notified the week of April 28, 2025.

50% of SLED funding will be dispersed upon project approval and the remaining 50% will be dispersed upon approval of your final report.

$100,000 of SLED funding was distributed in 2024, $90,000 coming from Huron County’s Economic Development Board and $10,000 coming from Community Futures Huron. This year’s jury awarded funding to the following sixteen projects:

Centre for Rural Creativity to support their Rural to Rural (R2R) Conference October 16-18, 2024, in Blyth that brings rural Canadians together to explore challenges and opportunities in rural communities, builds a strong rural voice, and leads to action for social and economic change.

Eat Local Huron to promote their online retail site that sells locally produced food products thereby increasing revenues for local food and beverage producers, increasing access to local food, and creating financial sustainability for the non-profit organization.

Exeter BIA to support Exeter’s business community in addressing security concerns, ensuring downtown Exeter continues to be a wonderful place to shop and work for area residents. 

Friends of Hullett to provide educational opportunities and to collectively explore new opportunities for Huron County’s forestry industry that will result in better managed forests and new economic opportunities.

Gateway Center of Excellence in Rural Health to support their SHARP (Skilled Healthcare Attraction and Retention Program) a rural workforce development and health care employee retention program.

Goderich Little Theatre to support their fall production of “Streamliners” that brings to light a unique and interesting story about Huron County’s history that will bring in new audiences to The Livery and support tourism in the shoulder season.

Huron County Pride to support their Pride Festival on June 8^th and the expansion of Pride events to cover a full week in 2024 ensuring Huron County is a welcoming community to 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Huron Manufacturing Association to support small and medium sized local manufacturers by proving safety and certification training within Huron County saving on training costs and allowing employees to upskill without having to leave the County.

Municipality of Bluewater to provide leadership and skill development training to area youth,12-16 years of age, building skills, knowledge and practical experience that will support their future employment.

Municipality of Central Huron to create greater awareness of the accessibility work they have been undertaking over the past few years that establishes Central Huron and Huron County as accessible destinations.

Municipality of Huron East to create a series of videos highlighting the manufacturing industry in the municipality creating greater awareness for these manufacturers and promoting the various local careers opportunities in this sector.

Seaforth BIA to support their continued beautification work on Seaforth’s Main Street with innovative and unique street furnishings and decorations that will bring more shoppers to Seaforth and create increased revenues for retailers.

Town of Goderich to advance and evolve Goderich’s “Salted” brand into an engaging audience experience through the development of an audio tour, brochure, speaker series, podcasts, and bus tours resulting in unique new tourism products.   

Township of North Huron to support the development of an organized cricket team and sporting event with regional teams to ensure that the available recreational opportunities meet the needs of the community and that newcomers feel included in North Huron.

Van Egmond Foundation to build a covered picnic pavilion on the Van Egmond House Museum site to be used by the foundation and local community groups creating greater awareness of this important heritage asset and generating new revenues that will support the work of the Foundation.

Wineries & Breweries of Huron County to establish a countywide industry organization that promotes and supports the winery and brewery businesses in Huron County and to hold a launch event for the new organization that will promote the entire sector and introduce their products to new markets.