A not-for-profit organization that helps attract retirees from across Canada to Windsor-Essex says it will have to shut down at the end of the year after Windsor and Essex County councils cut its funding.
The Windsor-Essex Active Retirement Community Initiative, also known at the 100 Mile Peninsula initiative, received $300,000 from both councils before city council opted to end its funding. President Krista Del Gatto says county councillors decided to end their financial involvement because the city had cut its funding.
While the organization made a presentation to county council, Del Gatto didn't feel there was any point in addressing city councillors. "I believe the decision was made prior to us getting there," she says. "I think we were afforded the opportunity if we chose to, but the matter was already received, noted and filed."
She says 1,100 new residents have come to the region because of the program, and it's generated both $286-million in real-estate sales and $55-million in economic spinoffs over the past six years. "If it was something that was just seen as dollars thrown away, but it's not. It's bringing dollars to Windsor and to Essex County and surrounding areas."
Del Gatto says the organization will hang on until the end of the year, and hope councils change their mind. "I do plan on going back at the end of the year."
