Less than a month after the head of Georgian College sought funding from the City of Barrie for a downtown hub, that request has been met.
Mayor Alex Nuttall delivered his 2026 budget directions to city staff on Tuesday, which included a $7.5 million investment for the college's new downtown location at 55 Mulcaster Street, across from City Hall.
According to Nuttall, one per cent of an existing two per cent capital levy will be reallocated to fund projects involving different levels of government, beginning in 2027.
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The first recipient of that investment, Nuttall said, was Georgian College.
"This is about ensuring taxpayers get maximum value for their dollars," the mayor stated in a news release. "By reallocating existing funds instead of raising new ones, we're building a stronger Barrie while keeping costs stable for residents."
"Investing in partners like Georgian College helps drive economic growth, strengthen our workforce, secure real lasting returns for the people of this city, and overall helps with the revitalization of our beautiful downtown."
Georgian College President and CEO Kevin Weaver made a pitch for $7.5 million when he spoke to councillors at the city's finance and good governance committee in early June.
At the time, Weaver asked that those funds be invested over a 10-year period.
"This is a monumental step forward for our institution and the community," Weaver commented in a news release, regarding the mayor's announcement.
Last June, the college announced plans for a hub of creative programming downtown.
At 82,000 square feet over three floors, courses offered at the hub will include design, visual arts and digital technology.
The new facility will open in September 2026 with 500 students coming from the school's main campus on Georgian Drive, and a gradual ramp-up that will eventually climb to 1,000 students.
The project will cost $32 million, with additional funding anticipated from private fundraising ($10 million) and strategic investment ($14.5 million).
