Business View Magazine | December 2020

291 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 an Economic Recovery Task Force to help Orillia recover economically, and socially, from the impact of COVID-19. “Council earmarked $100,000 for lead social agencies in town should they need to help, and another million dollars for economic recovery initiatives, which will probably occur over this year and next,” says Clarke. At one point, Orillia may have been a well- kept secret but not anymore. As Mayor Clarke attests, “I really believe we’re second to none. Our people are probably our greatest asset. In 2019, we won an award called the Cooperate Communities Award. It was issued to the Ontario municipality that was the most caring, giving, and philanthropic in the province, but it also had to have a vibrant arts and culture community, which we certainly do. One more thing I’m really happy to see as Mayor are the different cultures being drawn to Orillia. The people, the food, the diversity. It’s just wonderful.” OR I LL I A , ONTAR IO