By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
The Town of Essex earned $525,395.25 in approved grants in 2025, which was 83% more than the $287,847 earned in 2024, Essex Council learned at the February 2 meeting.
In total, the Town submitted 32 grant applications, which was significantly higher than the 13 submitted the year prior.
While last year’s grants totaled over half-a-million, the Town is waiting to hear back on $3,367,467.50 in pending grants, while it was denied $1,991,940.15.
The total grant dollars obtained in 2025 “represents quite a big increase in grant funding received by the Town of Essex,” Nelson Silveira, Manager of Economic Development, said.
Silveira noted that any grant funding received can be utilized to assist the Town in addressing its infrastructure deficit, alleviating pressure on the municipal taxbase. The funding supported a range of initiatives, from electric vehicle charging stations for Essex Centre and Harrow, to youth summer employment opportunities with the Town, and new accessibility lifts at the Essex Recreation Complex.
Some of the grants approved included $25,000 from the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel Grant to acquire mental health services for Firefighters to support well-being, and another $25,000 from the Hydro One Energizing Life Community Fund will allow Essex Fire & Rescue to acquire three battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fans and six battery packs to enhance Firefighter safety, improve response efforts, and protect residents more effectively.
Firefighters also earned $48,444.50 from the Fire Protection Grant to acquire a decontamination unit, accessories, and personal protective equipment to aid in cancer prevention for Firefighters.
The Town was able to receive $110,00 to support the Essex Fun Fest. Half was from Experience Ontario 2025 for production costs for entertainers, and rental costs of festival equipment. The other half, through Experience Ontario 2026, will support this year’s festival.
The Town is submitting an application to the Active Transportation Fund: Capital Project Stream, hoping to garner $2,953,578 for stormwater trunk sewer upgrades on Maidstone Avenue, from Bell Avenue to Allen Avenue, watermain replacement and improvements, and a 1.5km multi-use trail, from Talbot Street to South Talbot Street.
It was, however, denied a grant for over $1M that would have helped to upgrade the Harrow Raw Sewage Pumping Station to increase pump and electrical capacity to withstand extreme storm events.
Essex was also denied $122,000 from the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program: Community Development Stream to implement Industrial Community Improvement Plan (CIP) action items and extend the contract of the Analyst of Economic Development and Business Relations to support the CIP program, Business Concierge Service, Housing Needs Assessment, and various Economic Development initiatives.
In early September, Essex Council moved ahead with submitting a grant application to the ROD Program, seeking funding to support the position. Council also gave post-budget approval of $110,000 for a contract extension for the position to be funded from the Town’s Salary Stabilization Reserve.
The Analyst of Economic Development and Business Relations position was created the year prior on a one-year contract, partially funded through a $65,230 grant the Town of Essex received through the Province.
If the grant is not approved, it was noted then, Council would be responsible for the entire cost of the position. If that was the case, Council could then renew the contract for one-year instead of two.
Councillor Kim Verbeek gave kudos to Town staff on the increase in grants received. She wondered if the Mayor and CAO could be directed to work with the MPP and MP to work on the larger grants still pending to possibly help them along the process. Council moved that as part of the motion that received the report.
