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Newmarket invests $50K of film production revenue into downtown BIA

Coming soon, the town is launching Random Acts of Downtown Shopping with $20,000 in rewards and prizes
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File photo/Greg King for NewmarketToday

NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF NEWMARKET
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Following a recent announcement on March 18 that a popular television series is filming in Newmarket, Town of Newmarket council is pleased to announce a $50,000 investment in the downtown, focused on the Main Street District Business Improvement Area (BIA) and economic development initiatives, resulting from the film production revenue.
 
“As a town council we are really excited to use this opportunity to drive growth and development in Newmarket as we recover from two year’s of uncertainty,” says Mayor John Taylor. “The film production will bring direct revenue to the downtown and across our town while it is here, but we want to provide a more targeted, direct investment in the downtown business community over the spring and summer to help with the recovery and to recognize that there will be impacts on the downtown due to the filming. That is why we are creating a program that will drive revenue and awareness in the downtown, and bring life back to our Main Street after years of COVID-19 restrictions.”
 
Coming soon, the town will be launching a new initiative called Random Acts of Downtown Shopping with $20,000 in rewards and prizing to help drive people to shop downtown this spring. This initiative will re-invest revenues into the downtown, support Main Street BIA businesses impacted by street and parking closures and encourage residents to explore new and old favourites in the downtown. The full program will be rolled out in the coming weeks.  
 
The remaining $30,000 will go towards enhancing and highlighting the downtown through events, programs and other economic development initiatives. This will be done in partnership with the Town and Main Street District Business Improvement Area (BIA).
 
This investment in the town’s downtown is funded directly from the revenue generated from the film production. The film is anticipated to have a minimum $200,000 economic impact for Newmarket on the whole, with rentals and fees, accommodations and the infusion of several hundred cast and crew members who will shop, dine and experience Newmarket.
 
The news of a film production in town has ignited curiosity among the community. To respect the integrity of the production and in accordance with the film permit agreement, the town is unable to disclose or confirm the name of the show. The film production company has confirmed all casting for the extra roles is now complete.
 
Main Street remains open for business during the filming period. The Town asks that visitors please be respectful of the film production and crew during their visit.
 
During the film period, from March 30 to April 1, there will be intermittent and ongoing closures in the permitted area, which includes: Botsford and Timothy Streets from Main Street to Old Town Hall, the surrounding area and Market Square.
 
For information about the shoot, parking disruptions and to share feedback, go to heynewmarket.ca/filming.
 
For non-emergent questions contact customer service at [email protected] or 905-895-5193 and press 3 if after hours.
 
For emergencies related to the film production, residents can also call the Town’s Film Help Line at 905-716-9800. Staff will operate this line throughout the production timeframe.

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