For more updates and information on this important community project, please visit the links below:
- Newsletters
- Additional Documents

Our Downtown Revitalization Project is based on a well-tested program that assesses a community’s strengths, assets, challenges, and potential, and turns plans into actions that make a real difference!

Gravenhurst has a lot going for it: rich heritage and cultural resources, historical sites, scenic beauty, unique positioning between two lakes, vibrant events and activities, enhanced technological capacities, and a wealth of creative thinkers. These assets are valuable resources in building a sustainable, healthy community that serves its residents, businesses, and visitors well.

With funding and expertise from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; the Town of Gravenhurst; the Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area; and the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, the project takes a comprehensive multi-pronged approach to the challenge of invigorating our community. The four pillars of the program are economic development, leadership and management, marketing and promotions, and physical improvements.

Focusing on the central business district, while factoring in the entire area, the project’s first stage analyzes existing studies, collects new data, explores the experiences of other towns, engages partners, and works with the community to create a vision for the downtown core. Subsequent stages include a market analysis (to identify the best product/service mix in the commercial sector), a façade design plan, municipal cultural planning, communications strategies, and long-term action plans.

The revitalization project is supported by a Management Committee consisting of key players: citizens, elected officials, local business people, and advisors. The committee is working together to identify the issues, in order to make informed choices and achieve feasible and sustainable results. Partnerships are being strengthened with organizations and sectors throughout the Town and District.

We – the members of this community – are all part of this exciting process. Everyone is warmly invited to get involved, offer ideas, donate expertise, and help spread the optimism.