Proposed City Budget Cuts Threaten Peterborough’s Tourism and Cultural Services, Local Design Firm Warns
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Music Fest presenting the Road Apples on Canada Day 2024.
Peterborough, ON – November 11th 2024 – OmniWorx Design, a Peterborough-based graphic design firm specializing in services for the tourism industry, is raising concerns over the City of Peterborough’s proposed 2025 budget, which includes a 25% reduction in Community Services Administration funding. This reduction may significantly impact key cultural events and venues that draw visitors and support local businesses.
Under the proposed budget, the city’s investment in Peterborough Musicfest would drop from nearly $125,000 to under $95,000. Musicfest, a leading tourism attraction, generates an estimated $4.3 million in economic impact—nearly double the entire Community Services Administration budget—and attracts audiences where 64% of attendees report that the festival is their main reason for visiting Peterborough.
In addition to Musicfest, several prominent arts and cultural venues, including Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and Showplace Performance Centre, could also see reduced funding. These organizations provide diverse programming that supports local businesses and draws both residents and visitors alike.
“Peterborough is a city that thrives on arts, culture, and community,” says Jack Henry, Head of Design at OmniWorx Design. “With tourism contributing significantly to our economy, cutting back on the very programs and venues that bring visitors here is a step in the wrong direction.”
With 3.5 million visitors coming to Peterborough and the Kawarthas each year, local businesses in tourism, hospitality, and retail rely on the influx generated by events like Musicfest and programming at these cultural venues. OmniWorx Design, a firm that works with many tourism-related businesses, emphasizes that supporting these organizations is essential to sustaining local tourism and economic growth.
“We encourage members of the community to speak out about these proposed cuts,” adds Jack. “We need to invest in the vibrant cultural life that makes Peterborough a unique and desirable destination.”
A public drop-in session will be held on November 12th at 5 pm at Peterborough City Hall, offering residents and business owners an opportunity to share their views on the budget proposal.
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Media Contact
Jack Henry, B.Des, Associate RGD
Head of Design
Email
About OmniWorx Design
OmniWorx Design is a boutique design firm based in Peterborough, Ontario, specializing in branding, websites, and marketing collateral for small businesses and the tourism sector. With a friendly approach and a passion for creativity, OmniWorx Design helps clients maximize their presence and engagement with their target audiences.