The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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Please find below our first newsletter of 2021. Most of the newsletter focuses on covid related support and resources. We continue to promote Listowel and our business community through radio, print, social media and promotions. Our Coordinator is working from her home office but is available via email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233. Please reach out to us at anytime. |
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GRANTS AND SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESSES
As a reminder, the Provincial Government announced that the application portal for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant program is now open! This grant will provide eligible small businesses with a one-time grant of $10,000 (minimum) up to $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown. To qualify a small business must: be required to close or restrict services subject to the Provincewide Shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26; have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline comparing April 2020 to April 2019 revenues. New businesses established since April 2019 are also eligible for the grant provided they meet the other eligibility criteria. Applications are due by March 31, 2021. For more information about this grant, including eligibility, please visit the Ontario Small Business Support Grant site or see the Ontario Small Business Support Grant User Guide.
Grant opportunities are also now available for Perth County businesses. Perth County is working in partnership with RTO4 to implement the Tourism Adaption and Recovery Program and the Technology Investment Program to support tourism businesses in our region. Over $135,000 in grant money is available between these two funding streams. The opportunities are:
1) Tourism Adaption and Recovery: This program supports implementation of health and safety protocols and/or renovations and equipment to accommodate social distancing. In order to support as many businesses as possible they anticipate most grants to be $2,500. A minimum 20% match is required. Requests and claims may be retroactive to June 1, 2020. New projects must be implemented by December 31, 2021. You can find the Information Guide HERE and the Application HERE.
2) Technology Investment Program: This program is designed to support tourism operators as they optimize their online approach and use physical technology towards a safe re-opening. Businesses can receive up to $5,000 in support to implement COVID-19 technology investment projects. You can find the Information Guide HERE and the Application HERE.
Karen Mitchell, Destination Project Manager, RTO4, karen@rto4.ca, 519-271-7000 ext. 102
As a reminder, there are a number of government programs in place to support businesses (listed below):
Also available is Ontario’s One-Window Small Business Portal which lists supports for small businesses struggling with COVID-19. It can be found at www.ontario.ca/smallbusiness
For those wanting more information on the provincial emergency, go HERE. You can also find more detailed information about the shutdown HERE or by calling the Stop the Spread Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. The Stop the Spread Info Line provides support to businesses who have questions about the recent provincial shutdown.
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RESTAURANT SPECIFIC SUPPORT
Free One-Year Membership from Restaurants Canada
Restaurants Canada is pleased to offer a one-year complimentary membership to provide restaurant owners with some of the resources, information and tools needed to continue to navigate and recover during this time. Here is what you can expect:
- Access to timely industry updates, in-depth research and toolkits.
- Network and learn at industry conferences, webinars and events.
- Complimentary access to RC Show 2021 – ONLINE LIVE!
You can learn more about this HERE.
Ontario Caps Food Delivery Fees to Protect Small Businesses
The Supporting Local Restaurants Act, 2020 came into effect on December 19. Food delivery companies will be required to limit the rates they charge to 20% for each transaction — with no more than 15% for commission for food delivery services. The cap applies in areas where indoor dining is prohibited, to help restaurants stay in business and continue contributing to their communities. If indoor dining is prohibited in new regions, the cap will also apply in those locations.
To support this change, the government will:
- Provide food delivery company employees or contractors who perform delivery services with protection that their compensation will not be reduced in response to these changes.
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Enable restaurants and food delivery company employees or contractors to file online complaints if they are charged fees that exceed the cap or if their compensation or payments are reduced.
- Impose fines of up to $10 million to food delivery service companies that do not comply with the law.
You can read more about this HERE.
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HURON PERTH PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES
Huron Perth Public Health has notified us that under the Symptoms, Screening & Testing Resources the Ministry of Health has changed the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses & Organizations). The guidance document has been replaced with two separate documents/online tools issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health:
Changes to the screening tool include the addition of certain symptoms, as well as a separate screening tool for individuals who are under the age of 18. The person responsible for a business or organization that is permitted to be open under O. Reg. 82/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 1 must screen workers for COVID-19 before they go to work or start their shift each day. Additionally, businesses and organizations that are permitted customers at this time, must at minimum be passively screening patrons, however, active screening of customers prior to entry is considered a best practice.
In addition, the Minister of Health has outlined information about available provincial and federal sick leave and financial support programs. These programs can provide resources to people with COVID-19, as well as those affected by the pandemic such as people who are unable to work or taking care of someone with the virus. You can see the letter outlining the information HERE.
To view frequently asked questions and additional tools for workplaces, visit the COVID-19 information page for workplaces, employers and employees on the HPPH website HERE or contact Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133.
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Municipality of North Perth Supports
Shop Local North Perth is an e-commerce marketplace hosted by the Municipality of North Perth with the purpose of supplying an online platform to support and connect North Perth businesses with buyers. If you are a North Perth business or organization and have a product or service to offer for a set price, you can join this marketplace. For more information or to register, email contact@shoplocalnorthperth.ca or check out the media release HERE.
North Perth also has a website listing for businesses to let customers know of hours, services, and general operations during this time. Email Kim Kowch to add or update your business information to the North Perth Eats and Open for Business North Perth pages on the Municipality of North Perth website.
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Other Government Announcements
Ontario Expands Workplace Enforcement Campaigns
The Ontario government is expanding the current workplace inspection campaign to further protect workers and customers at essential businesses. Following last week's big-box store blitz, provincial offences officers will be now be visiting an expanded range of workplaces across Ontario to educate and ticket businesses that are not complying with COVID-19 health and safety requirements.
Starting today, more than 300 officers will be supporting these blitzes, and will be visiting a variety of workplaces that are allowed to be open during the provincial shutdown such as:
- Retail establishments, including big-box stores
- Restaurants providing take-out meals
- Essential service-sector establishments (such as gas stations); and,
- Farming operations
You can read more in the press release HERE.
Remote Learning Continues for ALL Huron Perth Students
Yesterday, the Ministry of Education announced that students in Huron Perth will not return to in person learning until further notice. A total of 100,000 students will return to in person learning in seven Public Health Units. You can find the press release with additional details HERE.
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Shop Local and Eat In and Win!
The Listowel BIA is currently running a contest to encourage local residents to safely shop and eat local. All winners will receive Shop Local Dollars to put back into the community.
We are working on other new initiatives and will announce them soon. We continue to market our local businesses on radio, social media, print and our website at www.discoverlistowel.com
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2020 Holiday Decorating Winners!
Thank you to all of our businesses that participated in the 2020 Holiday Decorating Contest. As in past years, our community had the chance to vote for their favourite and the top ten were judged by a panel of judges. The 2020 winner receives either $500 in Shop Local Dollars or in advertising of their choice. They were also featured on our website, social media and the Listowel Banner in December 2020.
Our Viewers Choice Winner this year was Tenpas Decor Centre and our Judges Choice Winner was the Victorian Inn & Spa on Main. Congratulations to both!
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Please reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or require assistance. We will continue to promote supporting local during this time through various channels including social media, radio and print.
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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