City of Brantford hosted a community recognition event at Elements Casino Brantford to acknowledge the significant impact that revenues received from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have made to the Brantford community on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Since 1999, the City has re-invested casino funds through annual contributions to not-for-profit organizations, administered by the Brant Community Foundation. This year marks the milestone of over $100,000,000 received by the City of Brantford as a casino gaming host community.
“Since this program’s inception, the City has proudly re-invested these funds through annual contributions to support the efforts of various not-for-profit organizations in our community,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford. “We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with OLG and for their ongoing commitment as a corporate citizen and generous contributor to Brantford’s growth and well-being for the last twenty-five years.”
Kathleen Devine, Senior Manager of Municipal Relations for the the OLG, congratulated the municipality on the partnership.
“Congratulations to the Brantford casino for being an important fixture in the community for 25 years,” said Devine. “OLG is proud of the relationship we have built in Brantford over the last quarter century. Since the casino was first introduced to the community, the City of Brantford has received over $100 million from OLG. The city has wisely invested those funds in various areas such as critical infrastructure, in local not-profit organizations through the Community Grants program and many other important initiatives. Each and every year, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. And it’s clear that for 25 years, OLG’s profits have been hard at work in Brantford.”
Anne Marie Peirce, Executive Director of the Brant Community Foundation, added, “This funding from OLG has enabled the City of Brantford to invest much-needed financial support to the City’s vibrant charitable sector through its community grant program. We are pleased to continue to be part of this important program that assists not-for-profits to continue the great work they do for our community.”
To date, the Brant Community Foundation has administered over 1,400 grants on behalf of the City. Many of these organizations would not be able to continue to deliver vital programs and services to our community without the essential support provided by the City and the Casino Legacy Fund.
Legacy projects funded by the City include, Brantford’s Canada Day Celebration, as well as various other community events, Public Arts, Cultural Programming, SPCA, Mental Health and Wellness Supports, the Downtown Revitalization project, Harmony Square, the Public Library Expansion, Farmers Market Renovations, Park, Trails/Waterways projects and the Youth Resource Centre to name a few.