March 31, 2020
Your Weekly Chamber News & Updates
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THE LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES
GOVERNMENT DELIVERS WHAT SMEs NEED TO PROTECT THE JOBS IN THEIR BUSINESSES
On March 27, Prime Minister Trudeau delivered some welcome news for SMEs across the country, following conversations with Canadian businesses and the Chamber Network. We applaud the government’s responsiveness and willingness to work with the business community. For example, our members were clear the 10 per cent subsidy previously announced was insufficient. The federal government clearly heard that small businesses needed more and acted decisively.

That news included the following announcements:

  • A 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to three months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll.
  • Allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments until June as well as customs duties owed for imports. This measure is the equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian businesses. It will help businesses so they can continue to pay their employees and their bills and help ease cash-flow challenges across the country.
  • The launch of the new Canada Emergency Business Account. This program will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans to small businesses. These loans – guaranteed and funded by the Government of Canada – will ensure small businesses have access to the capital they need, at a zero per cent interest rate, so they can pay for rent and other important costs over the next number of months.
  • The launch of the new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program that will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank, for guaranteed loans when small businesses go to their financial institutions to help weather the impacts of COVID-19. This is intended for small and medium-sized companies that require greater help to meet their operational cash flow requirements.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement in support of these measures:
WAGE SUBSIDY DETAILS
On March 30, we l earned more details about the federal government’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Program, including: 

  • Businesses and non-profits of all size are eligible for the subsidy if they have experienced a drop in revenue of at least 30%.
  • The measure will cover 75% of annual earnings up to $58,700 or $847 per week. 
  • The measure is retroactive to March 15, 2020.

This inclusive framework is just what the Chamber Network has been calling for. It will help protect and preserve otherwise healthy Canadian for-profit and non-profit organizations.

The Chamber Network continues discussions on this matter so that the program can benefit as many businesses as possible.
NEXT GENERATION MANUFACTURING CANADA WILL INVEST $50 MILLION IN SUPERCLUSTER FUNDING
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) will invest $50 million in Supercluster funding to support companies as they rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by building a Canadian supply of essential equipment, products, and therapeutics. Projects will be selected for funding according to critical needs identified by the Government of Canada and the ability of manufacturers to produce products that are safe for both patients and health care workers. 
 
NGen will prioritize funding for projects that can have an immediate impact between April and the end of June 2020 and will fund eligible costs for projects within this timeframe  up to 100%  (depending on the level of knowledge and information sharing to help Canadians). Projects that will have an impact in the medium term – beyond the June 30 timeframe may also be considered for funding at 50%. Projects are not expected to exceed funding of more than $5 M. 
 
 
For more information on NGen’s COVID-19 Response Program, see the   full bulletin , review the  project guide ,  share your capabilities .
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Find provincial government announced support as of March 30 below.
Updates from Our Members
AN UPDATE FROM TILLSONBURG TRAVEL :

Tillsonburg Travel is temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but will be available Mon. - Fri. from 9 am - 12 pm to receive phone calls and emails.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Russ Salamon of Salamon Commercial and Fine Art Photography is working on a a couple projects that will offer companies free exposure.

  1. A short video compilation of Tillsonburg-area businesses that are adjusting and/or retrofitting their businesses due to the pandemic.
  2. A portrait compilation of Tillsonburg-area businesses titled "Working Together against COVID-19."

Contact Russ if you would like your company to be included.
Chamber Events & Updates
LET THE TDCC HELP YOU THROUGH THE COVID-19 CRISIS
Despite the importance of taking necessary precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce recognizes the extreme strain businesses are facing. We want to help you!

The TDCC is offering members the opportunity to advertise your services with us through our email broadcasts and social media channels free of charge. Examples might include:

  • Gift cards available for purchase online
  • Coupon codes to encourage customers to make online purchases
  • Online courses or other services offered by your business.

Email Brittany at brittany@tillsonburgchamber.ca to include your offer in our communications materials.
REMINDER: THE 2020 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED
The Awards of Excellence is our biggest event of the year and it is important to us to hold a celebration to recognize business achievements in our community.

However, we are committed to doing our part to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, the event currently scheduled for May 7, 2020 will be rescheduled - likely to September 2020. Registrations will still stand for the new date for those who have already purchased tickets and sponsored the event.
Local News
TOWN OF TILLSONBURG CLOSES ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL AMENITIES DUE TO COVID-19
As the Town of Tillsonburg continues to fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the region, Mayor Stephen Molnar announced new measures to help keep the community safe. These include:

  • Dave Johnson Memorial Dog Park
  • J.L. Scott McLean Outdoor Rec Pad
  • Kolin Smith Memorial Skate Park and Pump track
  • Library Parkette
  • Optimist Tennis Courts.

Signs reminding people to stay at least 2 metres from others are also being installed at key locations along trails and in parks.
TILLSONBURG AND INGERSOLL HOSPITALS NEED YOUR HELP!
SUPPORTING OXFORD WEBSITE PORTAL
If your business is a food, tourism or Business to consumer company with retail operations and you are able to provide gift cards to purchase for later use or can offer local delivery or alternate accommodations, you may wish to sign up for the   Supporting Oxford website portal , which has been launched to help small businesses as they navigate through uncertain times. More information can be found at https://www.supportingoxford.ca/
Member Benefits
THE CHAMBER CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SAVE

Below are our cost-savings benefit programs, exclusively for our members: