Grimsby's Small Town Team Delivers Big Results in 2021

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

January 20, 2022

Grimsby’s Small Town Team Delivers Big Results in 2021

Grimsby, ON –

While COVID-19 continued to present the Grimsby community with unprecedented challenges in 2021, Council and staff once again demonstrated that the Town is an agile, high performing organization capable of delivering excellent public service. Council and Town staff further advanced all twenty-two initiatives outlined in Council’s Strategic Priorities, provided community support throughout the pandemic and undertook various large scale projects.

“We are very proud of what the Grimsby team has accomplished in 2021,” said Mayor Jeff Jordan. “Coming out of 2020 we knew that the pandemic was not over and that the community would continue to rely on Town support. Not only did we ensure residents and businesses had access to the resources needed, but we moved many other exciting projects forward that will bring positive, lasting benefits to the community both now and into the future.”  

Below is a summary of the various projects and services Council and Town staff delivered to Grimsby residents in 2021.

Projects of Significance

• Provincial funding secured to support the renovation and expansion the Grimsby Peach King Centre, valued at $21M.
• $435,965 in federal and provincial funding secured to support the Gibson Pedestrian Bridge replacement and also support the installation of a new HVAC system at the Town’s Library and Art Gallery.
• Lifted community spirits with special events such as Roger’s Hometown Hockey and an in-person/livestreamed Santa Claus parade.
• Secured $12.1M from Niagara Region for the new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Key 2021 Council Strategic Priorities Accomplishments

• Nearing completion of the Grimsby Beach Study, resulting in a Draft Secondary Plan for Grimsby Beach and associated Urban Design and Heritage Guidelines for the area.
• 65% increase to the municipal Heritage Register, the largest addition since 2008.
• Grimsby’s first ever Business Retention and Expansion initiative conducted, resulting in an Action Plan to help local businesses.
• First ever Urban Design Panel established to improve Century Condo’s development.
• Announcement of Grimsby’s first ever geothermal building.
• Ward boundary and Council structure review completed.
• Open Air Fire By-law passed.
• Grimsby ranked as one of the top municipalities for its accessibility compliance.
• Shared Fire Service Pilot between Grimsby and Lincoln initiated, which will improve emergency service delivery and preserve the volunteer firefighter model. 
• Council endorsement of a Consolidated Regional Transit system that, if approved, will improve service hours and expand service operations.
• Creation of Grimsby’s Recreational Trails Master Plan.
• 300 Carolinian/native tree species planted.
• Whittaker Park shoreline protection improvements completed.
• Over $30M in funding secured from upper levels of government leaving the Town in an outstanding financial position resulting in healthy reserves and minimal tax increases.

Pandemic Support

• Grimsby opened vaccination sites including GO VAXX bus and Town Hall clinics.
• $40,000 provided to 16 local businesses through the Town’s participation in the Digital Main Street initiative to help small businesses use digital technologies.
• Supported businesses across Grimsby through the continuation of a pilot patio program.
• Provided relief to residents by waiving interest penalties on taxes and water bills.
• Launch of Grimsby’s Got It! buy local campaign to support the local economy.
• Ran recreation programming and summer camps with revitalized outdoor programming and contact free activities.
• Developed enhanced virtual programming at the Library and Art Gallery.

For a comprehensive review of all 2021 accomplishments, please visit the Town of Grimsby’s Strategic Priorities page.

Contact:

Rachael Ball-Condron
Executive Assistant to the Mayor and CAO
(905) 309-2004