The Listowel BIA e-Newsletter

COVID-19 Updates and the Listowel BIA Please see updates since our last newsletter. We continue to be available to you at lschaefer@northperth.ca or 519-444-8233.

Updated Ontario Essential Business List Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario has reduced the list of essential businesses classified as essential and has ordered more workplaces to close . The government ordered all businesses not covered by the updated list of essential workplaces to close effective Saturday April 4, 2020 at 11:59 pm . The updated list directs additional businesses to close and restricts specified businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb side pick up and delivery, except in exceptional circumstances. This includes stores that sell hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet and animal supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies.  Teleworking and online commerce and other innovative ways (by phone and mail/delivery) of working remotely are permitted and encouraged.   Only critical construction projects will continue, including industrial projects such as refineries and petrochemical plants and infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, roads and bridges. New starts in residential projects will stop, while residential construction that is near completion will continue. Business-owners with questions concerning their essential business status are encouraged to call the Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659 . The hotline is available from 8:30 a.m.― 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m.— 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .

Canadian Business Resilience Network In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery.  This site and support will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead to support businesses, communities and the economy. Resources include containment measures, business continuity, support for business and recovery. You can access the site HERE .

CERB is Now Open The government will start accepting applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) TODAY . The CERB is intended to provide temporary income support to workers who have stopped working and are without employment or self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19. The benefit will provide $500 per week for up to 16 weeks. Those wishing to apply should create a "My Account" with the Canada Revenue Agency and sign up for direct deposit. Applications for this benefit will open based on your month of birth. Please see the graphic for details. Information on applying can be found HERE . Details will be available soon on support for those who currently do not qualify such as those who are still working but on reduced hours.

Keeping Safe While Open for Business If your workplace is open during this time, get tips to help keep everyone safe & healthy HERE Open For Business Signs 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 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 . 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 .

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 Teleconference Call Mayor Todd Kasenberg, CAO Kriss Snell and Community Development Coordinator Kim Kowch will be holding another Business Community Teleconference on Thursday, April 9th at 1:30 pm. Business owners are encouraged to participate using the call # and participant code below. Call 519-418-6338 OR (toll-free) 1-855-727-6338, and when asked for a meeting code, enter 4593285. SHARE YOUR LOVE OF LISTOWEL & WIN! In order to keep our community thinking of all the great things we have to offer, we started a Share Your Love of Listowel and Win Contest. Everyone is welcome to post pictures of all the things they love about Listowel, our local businesses, and what we can look forward to when social distancing is over. Pictures must tag #discoverlistowel and be available to see publicly. One winner will be chosen by random each week and announced on our social media accounts.  The Prize? Shop Dollars to be used when this is all over. Money will be distributed starting the week of June 1, 2020. The contest started last week and the first winner will be today.

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Entrepreneurial Academy is Free 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. Courses and content include: Social Media tutorials including Facebook Ads Manager Cash flow and budgeting HR During COVID-19 Our Top 10 Lists Canva.com Shopify and Squarespace Zoom Digital Sales Funnels Creative Business Planning Operations Email Marketing Click HERE to go to the Academy and review all the courses and resources available to you today.

Perth County Free Webinar Series Perth County invites you to join them for a FREE webinar series, taking participants through a step-by-step process of how to transition businesses from in-store to online. Register HERE .

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You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.

© Office of the Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3 P: 519-291-2950 | TF: 1-888-714-1993 | Website: www.northperth.ca

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