Georgian College receives transformative investment of $7.5M from the City of Barrie for downtown location

June 24, 2025

Georgian College is proud to share plans for a bold new chapter in its commitment to student success, community building, and economic growth. In partnership with the City of Barrie, Georgian’s taking another step forward with the creation of a vibrant downtown location that will serve as a launchpad for innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

As Georgian moves ahead with its vision to welcome up to 1,000 students to its new downtown Barrie location, a landmark $7.5 million contribution from the city will help create new opportunities for industry, culture, and learning to thrive together. Programming will focus on high-demand areas including design, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship – injecting fresh energy into Barrie’s growing creative economy.

Mayor Alex Nuttall described the new downtown location as a defining moment for the city: “This is an investment in our city’s future. Georgian’s new location will be a cornerstone of downtown revitalization, attract new faces and energy, and fuel long-term growth in our downtown core.” 

The new location represents a collaborative approach to building a more connected and prosperous future. In addition to the city’s investment, the project will be funded through one-time capital reserves and fundraising efforts. Georgian is also seeking additional partners to support student success through innovative and sustainable collaborations.

This is a monumental step forward for our institution and the community. Our new downtown location will offer cutting-edge facilities, strengthen our connection to the city, and provide students with immersive, real-world learning opportunities. We’re deeply grateful to the City of Barrie for their investment in our shared future.

– Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College

More than a downtown hub, this new location is a catalyst – helping shape the next generation of changemakers, sparking local economic development, and enhancing the vibrancy of our downtown core. Georgian looks forward to welcoming students into this vibrant new space in September 2026.