Bruce County is a county in Southwestern Ontario and includes the Bruce Peninsula. Located 2 hours northwest of Toronto, the ‘Bruce’ is bordered by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Its name is linked to the Bruce Trail as well as the Bruce Peninsula, which the trail runs through. Bruce County comprises 8 municipalities, including, Saugeen Shores (Port Elgin, Southampton); Kincardine; Brockton (Walkerton); South Bruce Peninsula (Wiarton); Arran-Elderslie; Huron-Kinloss (Lucknow); South Bruce and Northern Bruce Peninsula. Independent of Bruce County, but within Bruce Census division are 2 First Nations Reserves; Neyaashiinigmiing and Saugeen 29.

Bruce County is one of the most incredible 4 season vacation destinations in Southern Ontario, offering over 850 kilometres of beach and hike-able coastline, numerous conservation areas, nature reserves and provincial parks, bays, caves, cliffs and many small villages waiting to be explored. You may never see sunsets as beautiful or skies as dark as those in Southern Ontario (perfect for stargazing!).

The Bruce Trial (http://brucetrail.org) stretches 156 kilometres, from Wiarton to Tobermory, along the Niagara Escarpment, on the Eastern edge of the Bruce Peninsula. A perfect spot for hiking, cycling, showshoeing, or cross-country skiing. With Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, 3 rivers as well as a number of smaller lakes and bays, Bruce County is the perfect canoeing/kayaking destination. A visit to any of the various lighthouses, Northern Bruce Peninsula’s many shipwrecks or the incredible geological formations of Flower Pot Island and the coastal cliffs will emphasize the unique beauty that is Bruce County. Lion’s Head, a hidden jewel, is a must see for anglers, hikers, boaters and sailors.
Hopefully you will be lucky enough to catch sight of some of the wildlife while camping or hiking the forests of the Bruce. Being located on a major northern migration route, birding is also quite popular. The Blue-flag certified Sauble Beach is a popular tourist destination, with 11 kilometres of gorgeous sandy beaches, bars, amusement parks, shopping and even a speedway…full of fun for the young and young at heart!

Council’s Vision statement describes Bruce County as ‘Bold and beautiful…a healthy, caring community of prosperity and innovation’, and they couldn’t say it better. Whether visiting the myriad of farmers markets throughout the county, golfing, catching a sunset, surfing, fly fishing, exploring the coasts, watching a theatre production, skiing or discovering amazing underwater finds, there is always something to do. However it is the welcoming communities of the Bruce that will make you want to stay, or keep you coming back for more.
 

MUNICIPAL CONTACT INFORMATION

http://www.brucecounty.on.ca
Phone: 519-881-1291
Address: 30 Park Street, Walkerton, Ontario, N0G 2V0

CHAMBER & BIA

Spruce the Bruce
 

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Southampton, open Tues-Sat (www.brucemuseum.ca/)
Bluewater Summer Festival Theatre, Kincardine, Annual (www.bluewatersummerplayhouse.com/)
Kincardine Scottish Festival, Annual, Summer (www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca/)
Wiarton Willie Festival, Wiarton, Annual; February (www.wiartonwilliefestival.com)
Brockton Busker’s Festival, Annual, Autumn (www.walkertonchamber.ca/buskersfestival.cfm)
Pumpkinfest, Port Elgin, Annual, October (www.pumpkinfest.org/)
Bruce County Fall fairs, almost every weekend ALL fall long, throughout the county (http://www.explorethebruce.com/bruce-county-fall-fairs.php)
Walkerton Royal Winter Fair, Annual, Fall (www.wagsoc.ca/)
Explore the Bruce Adventure Passport, Bruce County (http://passport.explorethebruce.com/)
Bruce Coast Lighthouse Tour, Lion’s Head (www.brucecoastlighthouses.com/)
Sauble Beach (www.saublebeach.com)
Sauble Speedway, Sauble Beach (http://saublespeedway.ca/)
Chantry Island National Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Southampton (http://www.chantryisland.com/about.php)
Home-to-Home B&B Network, Bruce Peninsula (www.hometohomenetwork.ca/)
Outdoor fun at MacGregor Point Park, Port Elgin (http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/winter)
Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton, open year-round (http://vjhall.on.ca)

 

Stats Canada

Click here to view
 

Economic Overview

Click here to view

There are many avenues for funding open to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation (Bruce CFDC) is a community based not for profit corporation, committed to small business and community economic development. Affiliated through Industry Canada’s - Community Futures Program, this independent corporation embraces initiatives and activities in support of economic diversification and community prosperity.

Incorporated in 1986 as a not for profit corporation in the Province of Ontario, a volunteer Board of Directors continues to govern the directions, priorities and policies of the Bruce CFDC. Board members are representative of a broad geographic area and bring a variety of skills including strong small business experience and expertise. Board meetings are held monthly, with a full review of operating matters as well as detailed consideration of eligible loan requests. All are dedicated to the health and prosperity of the area. A core staff of four manage the daily affairs of the corporation. Contract and/or part-time staff are hired as required to implement special projects.

Under agreement with the federal government, the mandate of the Bruce CFDC is to help develop and diversify the local economy through:  a. community strategic planning  b. business counselling  c. investment in small business

Coming soon!