COVID-19 Business Support
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For your latest updates on funding programs and business information available on the impact of COVID-19, please subscribe to the Counties dedicated
webpage.
New to the webpage:
- Contact list for the Business Support Working Group members who are available to assist your business
- Webinar library on sessions specifically addressing today's environment
- Updates from the many federal and provincial programs.
Business Survey Results: Thank you to the 473 businesses that completed the business survey that closed last Friday. Members of the Business Support Working Group will be reviewing the results and reaching out to 175 businesses that requested to be contacted. The Community Development Futures Corporations have some loan capacity available. Employment Agencies, Economic Development Offices, along with the Small Business Enterprise Advisory Centres, are available to assist with working you through the government programs.
The federal and provincial governments continue to look for businesses that can adjust their production lines to support the fight of COVID-19. Please let us know if you are interested, and we will directly connect you with the Ministerial staff available to assist.
Counties Economic Development Staff are continuing to be connected digitally. If you have any questions, please
email
or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5365.
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Economic Development eNews | April 7, 2020
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Local Business and COVID-19
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Top feature photo: Brian Shenton, of We Share Supply Inc., unloads N95 valved respirators he and his team donated to area area hospitals.
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Above photos, top to bottom: We Share Supply Inc. valved respirators; Port of Johnstown; BUSL's Phil Audet with their hand sanitizers and the many mustards of Mrs. McGarrigles Fine Foods.
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Local companies finding ways
to help during COVID-19 crisis
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Many area businesses are finding ways to contribute or adjust their production during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are doing so in a variety of ways. Restaurants throughout Leeds Grenville are providing food pick-up service. Some retail outlets are expanding their online availability. Other companies have donated medical supplies or found ways to produce much-needed products such as hand sanitizer.
Three of this area's hospitals are receiving close to 5,000
N95 valved respirators donated by a Gananoque equipment supplier. Brian Shenton, president of
We Share Supply Inc
., says he, his wife and co-workers decided this was one way they could help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's terrific to be able to do this," Brian said, adding he feels lucky to be able to pay it forward in gratitude of having success with his company the past six years. Brian delivered 480 boxes of respirators last week.
The respirators are to be shared by Brockville General Hospital, Kemptville District Hospital, Perth Smiths Falls District Hospital and University Hospitals Kingston. "We wanted to help them all," he said.
Brian's company, a safety and industrial supplier with locations across Canada, has four pillars - product, price, service and goodwill, where 2% of all revenue is donated to charity.
The
Port of Johnstown
has donated N95 masks to area hospitals and care facilities. To help staff, the Port is also operating a free hand sanitizer filling station for its employees.
"It's all about raising awareness of what companies and individuals can do to help," said Robert Dalley, General Manager of the Port.
"This may mean donating supplies or just staying home whenever possible. They are equally important," Robert said.
"We saw a major lack of supply locally and we wanted to help our community," said Phil Audet of BUSL. "We had under-utilized cider-making equipment available on standby. We were able to quickly re-activate equipment and make small batch quantities. We hope to increase capacity in the coming weeks to produce in higher quantities," Phil said.
Mrs. McGarrigle's Fine Food
in Merrickville has increased their online product list and is offering free delivery of products to residents in Kemptville, Merrickville, Brockville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place and Ottawa.
"These are hard times and we want our customers and communities to know that we are more than happy to continue to serve them," said Janet Campbell, owner of Mrs. McGarrigle's. Janet has also re-started home-cooked meals for take-out with free delivery in Merrickville.
"We are so appreciative of the dedication we have already seen from our customers in continuing to support our business during these unsettling times," she said.
We would like to feature additional stories on how businesses are adjusting. If your business, or one you know of, is providing special services, changing or expanding how they do business during this outbreak, please
email us
.
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Tourism Marketing Opportunity during COVID-19
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Destination Ontario calling tourism businesses to submit virtual experiences
Destination Ontario is reaching out for inspiration and/or entertaining consumer-facing tourism virtual experiences to share for people to enjoy from the safety of their homes.
The goal is to keep your destinations and attractions front of mind once it is safe again to travel to Ontario.
Platforms may include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, along with websites and tourism blogs.
Guidelines include:
- An Ontario-based experience
- Content is already produced
- Available for Destination Ontario use, including third-party talent and creative rights
- Good for children, families and/or adults to enjoy
Here are some samples from 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours:
Send your information to
DO.info@ontario.ca
- for editorial consideration, with details including the URL, social page, videos, photos, etc., and let them know if you have any questions. For examples of what they have featured, stakeholders can check out Destination Ontario on social media via @ontariotravel on Facebook and Instagram.
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What's Open in Leeds Grenville
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Many businesses are continuing to provide services and have modified their businesses to accommodate the current government regulations. Check out what's open in your community.
If you are a business that is operating and wish to be listed, please
email us.
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How to Market your Business Through the COVID-19 Crisis
Learn how to communicate with your customers and update your marketing plan with website and social media strategies. Presented by Andrew Patricio of BizLaunch through the Small Business Advisory Centre - Smiths Falls / Lanark County.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2-3 p.m.
COST: Free
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Your Social Media Questions - Answered
Social media expert Jennifer Baker will answer social media-based questions to help you grow your business during this time. The Business Support Network asks you to provide your questions prior to the webinar.
Email your questions to Gananoque's RED project Coordinator Laura Godard.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
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Small Business During a Time of Crisis: Discussion with Experienced Entrepreneurs
With the recent developments regarding COVID-19, most entrepreneurs have been faced with unprecedented challenges. Moderated by Ottawa's VP of Venture Development, Nick Quain, some topics to be covered include: Survival strategies to keep your business afloat, shifting or pivoting your business; new business opportunities.
WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2-3 p.m.
COST: Free
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How to Operate Remotely and Online
Through the COVID-19 Crisis
If you are working from home, learn how to plan your day along with the best tools to create your online presence along with the best apps to keep you working. Presented by the Small Business Advisory Centre - Smiths Falls / Lanark County.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 2-3 p.m.
COST: Free
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BDC: How to Cope With the Impacts of
COVID-19 on Your Business
The spread of COVID-19 poses important challenges to Canadian businesses.With the situation constantly evolving, you need to be prepared for any disruptions. Join Business Development Bank of Canada experts as thy share short-term economic perspectives and advice on how to manage through the crisis.
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please
email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the April 21st edition should be received by Wednesday, April 15th.
- Submissions for the May 5th edition should be received by by Monday, April 27th.
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United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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