EV Chargers are Live at Alton Mill
January 23, 2023
Government of Canada assists the Alton Mill Arts Centre install EV Chargers
Alton Mill receives a total of $110,000 from Central Counties Tourism through FedDev Ontario and EPCOR through NRCan’s ZEVIP program, towards the cost of installing Electric Vehicle charges for the use of visitors to the mill.
January 25, 2023, Village of Alton, Town of Caledon, Ontario
This month, the Alton Development Inc. (ADI), owner of the Alton Mill Arts Centre,received a non-repayable contribution of $40,000 from Central Counties Tourism(RTO6) to assist with the cost of installing one level 3 and four level 2 FLOfast chargers and publicising their availability. This funding is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario(FedDev Ontario). RTO6 received $8.65 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
The four Level 2 chargers have been energized and are available for use by the public. The Level 3 charger still needs some work and will be activated soon. This investment will enable visitors using electric vehicles to charge up while browsing the Alton Mill’s galleries, studios, shops, sculpture garden and hiking trails, or while attending a special event.
All these investments will help Atlon Mill Arts Centre adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in the Town of Caledon.
Quotes
“Tourism is a cornerstone in economies across southern Ontario. That is why our Government has invested $78 million through southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario to help tourism businesses meet their potential and contribute to growing local economies. Supporting these organizations will ensure that we have strong communities that welcome more and more visitors, now and into the future.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play. Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in Alton and Caledon, Ontario, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”
- TheHonourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
- Martin Kouprie, General Manager, Alton Mill Arts Centre
“The visitor economy creates thriving, vibrant communities across Ontario. Visitors bring new money into a community and for many businesses in York, Durham and Headwaters, these additional revenues can mean the difference between staying solvent and having to shutter their doors forever. Central Counties Tourism applauds the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of growing our collective capacity to welcome and entertain visitors. Its investment in tourism is helping municipalities and individual businesses build compelling destinations that will attract visitors and residents alike. The economic impact from the Tourism Relief Fund will be felt for years.”
- Chuck Thibeault, Executive Director, Central Counties Tourism
Quick facts
- The Alton Mill Arts Centre is a national award-winning arts centre in a restored 1880s stone mill. Visitors can discover and purchase art, artisanal items and wearables from working studios, galleries and unique shops and take art and lifestyle workshops and classes. They can also partake in public events, enjoy the environment of the mill—its history, sculpture garden and waterside setting—dine in a unique atmosphere, and host their own celebrations and corporate events.
- Central Counties Tourism is a not-for-profit regional tourism organization funded by the Ontario Government and responsible for supporting more than 2,000 tourism-related business in the York, Durham and Headwaters regions through the promotion and development of unique and competitive tourism products that attract high-yield visitors from outside the Central Counties region.
- The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontarioboth directly and through11 Regional Tourism Officesand Indigenous Tourism Ontario.
- The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program(ZEVIP) is a $680-million federal initiative to address the lack of charging and refuelling stations in Canada—one of the key barriers to ZEV adoption—by increasing the availability of localized charging and hydrogen refuelling opportunities where Canadians live, work and play.
- EPCOR Ontario is proud to have been selected as a partner to help deliver the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicles Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to support investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. In addition to distributing ZEVIP funding to selected applicants, EPCOR provides project oversight of the installation of the EV charging stations.
- These investments willhelp the Alton Mill Arts Centreadapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in Caledon and the Headwaters region as well as encourage the adoption of Zero Emissions vehicles – an essential component of Canada’s plan to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets.
- The chargers were manufactured and will be operated by FLO, a Canadian-based company operating throughout North America and offering Canada’s largest EV charging network.
- Alton Mill Arts Centre
- Central Counties Tourism
- FedDev Ontario
- Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
- EPCOR Go EV Funding Program in Ontario
- Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
- FLO Drivers’ Network
Media Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Martin Kouprie
General Manager
Alton Mill Arts Centre
519-941-9300
martin@altonmill.ca
Chuck Thibeault
Executive Director
Central Counties Tourism
cthibeault@centralcounties.ca
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
About the Alton Mill Arts Centre
The Alton Mill Arts Centre was established in 2009, following the 3-year-long restoration of a circa 1880 stone mill building and grounds on the banks of Shaws Creek, a tributary of the Credit River in the village of Alton in the Town of Caledon. The magnificent building and grounds have become a regional hub of artistic and creative activity and one of the Headwaters Region’s prime tourism destinations. It houses some 20 artists in working studios, galleries and artisanal shops, an industrial heritage exhibit, a sculpture garden and is a venue for many public and private events.
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, throughFedDev 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, Instagramand LinkedIn.
About Central Counties Tourism
Central Counties Tourism(CCT) was established as a regional tourism organization in 2010 under a framework developed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mandate is to identify sustainable best product and practices that will build a stronger and more competitive tourism industry within the York, Durham, and Headwaters regions. CCT is funded by the Ontario Government and managed as a not-for-profit organization by a voluntary tourism industry board. CCT’s mission is to increase tourism in the region by promoting and developing unique and competitive tourism products that attract high yield visitors from outside the Central Counties region.
About Natural Resources Canada and the Zero Emissions Vehicle Program
Natural Resources Canada(NRCan) is committed toimproving the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring the country’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively.NRCan’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)is a $680 million initiative ending in 2027. Its objective is to address the lack of charging and refuelling stations in Canada; one of the key barriers to ZEV adoption, by increasing the availability of localized charging and hydrogen refuelling opportunities where Canadians live, work, and play. Fundingis delivered through cost-sharing contribution agreements for eligible projects that will help meet the growing charging and refuelling demand.
About EPCOR
EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The Company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCOR’s mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer and is ranked among Corporate Knights’ 2022 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.
