Huntsville agreed to consider a physician recruitment partnership with Muskoka Futures
Huntsville General Committee agreed to consider partnering with Muskoka Futures on a physician recruitment program, in the February 26, 2025, meeting.
Organization representative, David Brushey, advised they are non-profit and starting the Physician Recruitment Incentivized Loan Program as a way to attract more doctors to the area.
He said the program allows doctors to partner with the municipality on loan to open a practice. Physicians repay the principal of the loan and partner with the Town to each pay a portion of interest.
For instance, a $150,000 loan would be 5.2% interest over 10 years, and the Town would make the interest payments for the first 5 years. The Town’s portion of the interest would be $22,658, and the physicians portion paid in the last 5 years would be $22,024.
Futures would administer the loan, and the Town would be in control, making decisions and setting the guidelines for it.
Brushey explained that it’s new way of driving economic impact because “physicians get a loan to start a new business in the community with the support of the Town.”
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, expressed enthusiasm about the concept. She said, “Any idea that contributes to the physician recruitment program is a good thing.”
Last May Council approved a physician recruitment program called the Physician Community Supported Incentive Package to attract and retain new doctors to Huntsville.
Incentives include $60,000 for taking over an existing family practice, $70,000 for the same plus taking on more than 200 of the Town’s patients, and $80,000 for establishing a new practice.
Other program incentives include an annual pass to Muskoka Heritage Place and Pioneer Village, and skate/swim membership at the Summit Centre, and allows “in-kind” and financial incentives from local businesses.
In return the Town requires a minimal 5-year commitment of service from the physician to the community.
Alcock advised Brushey that the Town has already locked in their budget for the program for two years, however, inquired to staff about whether they have agreed to this type of partnership in the past.
Staff advised that this would be a new endeavour for the Town.
They also discussed options such as determining where they can find additional funding if they were to participate in the partnership, and/or to add a provision to the existing incentive program agreement to include the municipal portion of the loan.
Councillor, Helena Renwick, praised the idea as “thinking outside the box,” and expressed interest in considering it. She said, “It’s such a desire. We need this in our community right now.”
Alcock said, “We have interest to pursue what this might look like.”
