January 15th, 2021 | COVID-19 Government and Business Support Updates

Sally Litchfield posted on 1/15/2021 2:23:00 PM

CENTRE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDES COVID-19 GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT UPDATES

The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown. The tightened restrictions were put in place to help stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario.

This grant allows flexibility for small business owners so that they can spend it however makes the most sense for their businesses (e.g., paying rent, paying employee wages, maintaining inventory, etc.).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2021

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR THE ONTARIO SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT:

Applicants must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 per cent when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. This time period was selected because it reflects the impact of the public health measures in spring 2020, and as such provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on businesses. Note, the application portal will provide alternative revenue decline comparator months for small businesses not in operation in April 2019 or April 2020

To receive the grant, a business must:

Be required to close or significantly restrict services due to the provincewide shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020 (please refer to “Eligible Businesses” section below)
Experienced revenue decline of at least 20 per cent
Had 99 employees or less at the enterprise level (An enterprise is a corporation, unincorporated business, partnership, charity, non-profit organization or any other type of entity operating a business in Ontario)

Eligible Businesses:

The following businesses are required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown. Only businesses from the following list are eligible to apply for funding under this program:

• Before- and after- school programs

• Campgrounds

• Cannabis retail stores

• Cell phone and computer providers & repairs

• Community centres and multi-purpose facilities

• Conference centres and convention centres

• Day camps for children

• Domestic services

• Drive-in cinemas

• Driving instruction

• Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)

• Garden centres

• Hardware stores (including Big Box stores) required to close for in-person shopping

• In person teaching and instruction

• Media industries including film and television production (excluding radio/television broadcasting)

• Meeting or event space

• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attraction

• Outdoor markets (excluding grocery)

• Outdoor sports and recreation facilities

• Performing arts and cinemas

• Personal care services relating to the hair or body (excluding oxygen bars)

• Personal services

• Pet/animal food and services

• Photography services

• Racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments

• Rental and leasing services (including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental)

• Restaurants and bars

• Retail required to close for in-person shopping

• Safety, medical and assistive devices retail (excluding pharmacies)

• Shopping malls

• Ski hills

• Tour and guide services

• Vehicle and equipment repair services

• Veterinary services

Businesses must provide and attest to the following information:

Legal Business name
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number (If you do not have a CRA Business Number, please apply for one here)
Business type
Revenue figures
Number of employees
Business’ bank account number - Name of financial institution - Address of financial institution - Financial institution number - Branch/Transit number - Account type

TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION GUIDE WITH ALL THE DETAILS, CLICK HERE.

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE.

Tourism Adaptation & Recovering Program

We want to help your tourism business re-open and remain open.

Elora Fergus Tourism, in partnership with RTO4 and the County of Wellington, is proud to implement the Tourism Adaptation and Recovery Program. The program is meant to help small and medium sizes enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profits (NFPs) in the arts, culture and tourism sector by supporting one-time adaptation and re-opening costs incurred to continue operating post Covid-19.

Two streams are available (click headings for details)

1) Physical Adaptation

2) Technology Investment

Eligible businesses and organization are encouraged to apply by February 1, 2021 11:59 p.m.

Tourism Adaptation and Recovery Program Application: Click here.

Technology Investment Program Application: Click here.

For more information about this program please contact

Karen Mitchell, Tourism Project Manager, Regional Tourism Organization 4, 519-271-7000 Ext 102,

or Jana Burns, Wellington Place Administrator, County of Wellington, 519-837-2600 Ext 5222

| Return

About the Author

Having been with CWCC since early 2019 wearing a few different hats including event planning, bookkeeping, and marketing, I’m excited to have stepped into the Interim General Manager role. My background includes over ten years of event and program management experience, in both the non-profit and corporate sectors, from large business-to-business conferences to fundraising events across the country and almost everything in between. Throughout my career I have gained extensive administrative and financial experience, and also found time to complete my MBA!

I am proud to now call Centre Wellington home and look forward to further supporting the business community. CWCC strives to provide solutions, benefits, and connections for our businesses, create opportunities to learn and grow, and advocate for local business needs.

News Details