New $275,000 Fund Established to Enhance Downtown St. Thomas

Our team at young & free press is excited to announce a donation of $275,000 from a generous local donor to the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation. The funds will be used to enhance the downtown core of St. Thomas. Allocations from the fund will be arranged by our own Andrew Gunn and Maddie King in collaboration with staff at the Foundation and local partners.

“Recently, St. Thomas City Council approved $7.5M to support the ongoing redevelopment of Talbot Street, specifically in the area between Mary Street and Ross Street,” comments Andrew Gunn. “The purpose of this new fund is to support the addition of cultural amenities throughout the downtown to improve the experience of living and working in St. Thomas, and to boost tourism, too. We have consulted with City staff, as well as other partners, and look forward to working collaboratively toward this goal. Downtown spaces are key to the identity of every city. Investments of this type are essential to ensuring that these core areas are vibrant, active places.”

Natasha Newby, Executive Director, Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation, adds that “we are fortunate to have caring community members within Elgin County that want to invest in their own backyard.  This gift will do just that.  Improving the downtown area in St. Thomas will create safe welcoming spaces for both those that live here and those visiting.”

Funding announcements for specific projects will be made in the coming months.

For more information on the Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation, click here.