The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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COVID-19 Updates and the Listowel BIA
Please see updates since our last newsletter. Past newsletters for COVID-19 can be found on our website at www.discoverlistowel.com We continue to be available to you at lschaefer@northperth.ca or 519-444-8233.
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Provincial Government Updates:
- During his press conference yesterday, the Premier announced increased funding to help seniors and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. The province is investing $11 million to help deliver meals, medicines and other essentials to those in need and doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payments.
- The Ontario government released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows that the enhanced public health measures, including staying home and physically distancing from each other, are working to contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. However, the Chief Medical Officer of Health says emergency measures must remain in place to continue reducing the number of cases and deaths.
- The government of Ontario has amended a regulation under the Insurance Act to enable auto insurance companies to provide temporary insurance premium rebates to drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. By amending this regulation insurance companies would be able to provide auto insurance premium rebates to consumers for up to 12 months after the declared emergency has ended.
- During a press conference, the Premier of Ontario announced the COVID-19 Action Plan: Long-Term Care Homes to ramp up protection for long-term care residents.
- As a reminder, the Ontario government extended the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act for a further 28 days. The extension of the provincial declaration of emergency is now in effect until May 12, 2020 and allows Ontario to continue to enforce current emergency orders, which includes the closure of all non-essential workplaces, outdoor amenities such as parks and recreational areas, public places and bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people.
Federal Government Updates:
- A calculator has been launched to help businesses determine the amount they may receive with the CEWS. Through this website, businesses can learn more about the eligible employers and eligible employees for the wage subsidy.
- Beginning on Monday April 27th applications will be open for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. More information on the application process can be found on the CEWS website.
- The government expects that most of the CEWS applications will be processed by May 5th and funds will flow soon after.
- The Prime Minister announced $350 million in funding to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need. The investment will flow through national organizations that have the ability to get funds quickly to local organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The funding will support a variety of activities, such as: Increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications; Providing transportation services, like accompanying or driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments; Scaling up help lines that provide information and support; Helping vulnerable Canadians access government benefits; Providing training, supplies, and other required supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response; and, Replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences, or the Internet.
- On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced up to $306.8 million in funding to support small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses. The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses. These measures will help 6,000 Indigenous-owned businesses.
- The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is being expanded to include businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new payroll range will replace the previous range of between $50,000 and $1 million in payroll. Businesses can apply for a CEBA loan through their financial institutions.
- The government’s intends to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June. Implementation of this program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. More details will be provided as soon as they are available.
- The Prime Minister announced changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to help more Canadians. The government will be changing the eligibility rules for CERB to:
- Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
- Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.
- The Government of Canada has launched the Canada COVID-19 Support App that provides the latest updates, trusted resources, and a self-assessment tool for symptoms.
- The Government of Canada launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness, called Wellness Together Canada. This portal will connect Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists, and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls. In addition, this portal will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues. Wellness Together Canada can also be found using the Canada COVID-19 Support App.
- You can visit the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for more information on support available to help Canadians and businesses.
Federal and Provincial Updates:
- The Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada are investing $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation’s supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), the federal and provincial governments will provide support that will help people connect with job opportunities in the sector quickly. This program would help primary agriculture, food processing companies and grocery retail to recruit and train workers who are important to keeping the essential food supply chain functioning.
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The Municipality of North Perth is launching a new and FREE Ecommerce Marketplace ‘Shop Local North Perth’!
While the Municipality of North Perth is aware that many businesses already have websites and e-commerce platforms created to support your business, they are working to find additional supports for during this time to continue to encourage shopping locally.
The marketplace will be a means for you to show photos, sell, receive payment and arrange delivery/pickup for your products and services – very similar to Amazon and Etsy platforms. North Perth will assist vendors to register and get the ball rolling. The North Perth Chamber of Commerce as well as the Listowel BIA will also be able to assist as needed.
If you would like to join the North Perth marketplace or would like additional details, please email Kim Kowch
HERE
.
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Open For Business Signs
SIGNS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY
Roger from PennySaver Signs has developed these amazing signs for our businesses. He has donated them to any business in North Perth who would like to display them. If you would like a sign, please contact me at lschaefer@northperth.ca
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The Kin Family COVID-19 Small Business Gift Card
THERE IS STILL TIME TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM!
The Listowel BIA is proud to support this program as it will provide additional income/support to local businesses, promote shopping local during COVID-19 for all businesses and add funds to our community. The Listowel BIA is sponsoring this initiative with program development assistance, promotion/advertising and will make a $5 donation to the program for every $50 purchased, up to $2500. By doing this, we are helping our business community during this time and our general community, which was greatly impacted by the loss of many Paddyfest events, which bring in thousands of dollars for community betterment. The Kin motto has always been,
'SERVING THE COMMUNITY'S GREATEST NEED'
and we are proud to assist them in this project.
Click
HERE
for the details of this program.
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OBIAA Support
The OBIAA, of which the Listowel BIA is a member, has recently partnered with the
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to send a letter to the Government of Ontario, speaking on behalf of the members and industries they represent. The letter focusing on the concerns of Main Street and for small and medium sized enterprises in every corner of our province during COVID-19. You can find a copy of the letter
HERE
.
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Business Impacts from COVID-19
Perth County Economic Development and Tourism in partnership with investStratford are seeking input from local businesses to continue monitoring the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Your input helps track the impact locally so they can advocate on your behalf to the Provincial and Federal Government. The survey can be found
HERE.
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North Perth COVID-19 Business Questionnaire and Directory
In an effort to track the impact of COVID-19 on North Perth businesses, the Municipality of North Perth is seeking your assistance in providing details on your business operations, as well as the supports you require, through the completion of their
COVID-19 North Perth Business Questionnaire
.
They will use this information to plan for current and future local business supports, as well as to advocate on your behalf in any discussion with other levels of government to support an understanding of local business needs. If you have already completed this questionnaire you are welcome to complete it again if your circumstances have changed and/or you have additional input. The questionnaire can be found
HERE
.
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Keeping Safe While Open for Business
If your workplace is open during this time, get tips to help keep everyone safe & healthy
HERE.
Business Resources and Programs to Assist during COVID-2020
For a list of all resources available to business, go to the Municipality of North Perth Business Support Page found
HERE
.
Business Directory
The Business Directory is also now up. Please make sure you have provided your current business operations so we can share with the community. The directory can be found
HERE
.
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Ask An Expert
Join SPCB and the Stratford City Centre every Wednesday at 2pm for their new Ask An Expert series. Click
HERE
to register.
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Stratford Perth Centre for Business Entrepreneurial Academy
The SPCB has made available all of their Entrepreneur Academy courses free to our businesses during this time. They have built a vast resource centre full with content to help you take your business digital, manage your employees and cash flow and creatively pivot towards revenue. Click
HERE
to go to the Academy and review all the courses and resources available to you today.
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You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.
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© Office of the Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3
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