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. If you have any questions, concerns or are experiencing challenges during this time, please reach out to us.

Provincial Government Updates

Federal Government Updates



General Business Supports

The  Canadian Chamber of Commerce  announced the  Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business Relief Fund . This new program, a partnership between the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Salesforce, will help 62 small businesses in Canada recover and support their resilience with $10,000 grants. Small businesses can use this grant to support their recovery efforts, including paying salaries, acquiring safety and PPE for staff, replenishing materials or paying for the measures required to adapt business models to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for a grant between June 1 and June 12. More information about this program, including eligibility criteria and the application process can be found  HERE .

A new program, the  Business Resilience Service  (BRS), has been launched to provide small to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations and charities with direct access to a network of qualified business advisors to help provide guidance. This program is being run by the  Canadian Business Resilience Network  (a government-funded program by the  Canadian Chamber of Commerce ) in collaboration with  EY  and with support from  Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)  and  Imagine Canada . The BRS is free of charge and will provide options for any vulnerable small to medium-sized business, not-for-profit or charity to immediately connect with experienced accounting and tax professionals across the country from professional services firms. The BRS program will be provided for four weeks and will involve support from approximately 125 business advisors from across the accounting profession. Organizations can access the BRS seven days a week by calling 1-866-989-1080. Please visit the  BRS website  for more information

North Perth Business 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 completion of our  COVID-19 North Perth Business Questionnaire . They will use this information to compile a COVID-19 Business Status Directory , as well as to plan for current and future local business supports and advocate on your behalf. They encourage you to complete the survey when your business operations change to keep it up to date. You can complete the survey HERE .

Open For Business Signs

SIGNS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!

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

RRRF and Navigating Government Support Programs

Applications are now open for the new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). The RRRF provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) of up to $40,000 to help support fixed operating costs and working capital needs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RRRF fund is intended to support businesses who have attempted to access other federal relief supports and were ineligible, rejected, or require funding for expenses that have not been supported, with priority given to applicants who were ineligible or rejected from other federal relief supports. For more information about the program, please see the  program guidelines  and the  frequently asked questions .

Community Futures Development Corporations across southern Ontario are here to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 that have been unable to access other federal support. The intake process is now open on the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation website for the RRRF. To apply, go HERE and follow the directions for the application.

 

In addition, Perth Community Futures Development Corporation (PCFDC) is available to assist with providing support and information on all government funding available as well as going through cash flow, etc. You can reach Alex at PCFDC at:

Alex Toll

Lender, Business Analyst

Perth Community Futures Development Corporation

lender@perthcfdc.ca

519-814-6803

Retail Council Of Canada Assistance

To assist retailers in their reopening planning, Retail Council of Canada, in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group and retailers from across Canada, are leveraging global best practices for a diverse range of retail formats with the fundamental aim of ensuring a safe environment for employees and customers. Go HERE to access their recovery playbook and resources.

COVID-19 Public Health and Wellness Resources

Huron Perth Public Heath - Visited their website HERE to see resources available during this time.

Ontario Ministry of Health - Visit there website HERE. S ector specific guidance documents are available HERE.

Public Health Agency of Canada website has resources and information available to you and can be found HERE.

Here4HealthCare - This is a new service to reach front line healthcare workers and provide them with the support they may need. Services include access to psychiatry, crisis services and counselling/support options. There is also a web page with online resources and tools, as well as a web enabled referral form for health care workers to connect directly which can be found HERE.

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