January 15, 2021
COVID-19 UPDATES
PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY DECLARED AND STAY-AT-HOME ORDER ISSUED

In response to COVID-19, the Ontario Government has declared a second state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 am. This order requires everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work.

Please refer to the following resources for more information:
COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES

A reminder that a list of pandemic-related resources for businesses is available on the Township website: www.lakeofbays.on.ca/covid19-business

If you need assistance finding a specific program or have questions, please don't hesitate to email the Interim Economic Development Coordinator Leanne Fetterley.
ANNUAL BUSINESS SURVEY
REMINDER - CALLING ALL LAKE OF BAYS BUSINESSES
We are collecting feedback from the business community in Lake of Bays to help guide the Township’s economic development program and to assess the impacts of COVID-19. Your input is very important to us and we invite you to take our brief survey. Participants will be entered into a draw to receive a prize pack of Lake of Bays branded swag!

 
Deadline: February 2, 2021

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
ONTARIO SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT

Applications are now open for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant which will provide up to $20,000 for eligible businesses. For more information read the December 21, 2020 News Release.
MUSKOKA BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND
The MBRF is a fund supported by FedNor though the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) and the District of Muskoka, and applies to any business established prior to March 1, 2020 that has attempted to access any Federal relief supports and was deemed ineligible.

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT FUND (BTIF)
The Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network is now accepting applications for its Business Technology Improvement Fund (BTIF) grants. The grant provides funding of up to 50% of approved costs, to a maximum grant of $25,000, to allow eligible businesses to purchase technology hardware, highly specialized equipment, software and specialized services. 

Website: www.pmcn.ca/btif
Deadline: January 31, 2021
BUSINESS TRAINING & RESOURCES
SAFE TRAVELS STAMP EXPLAINED: WEBINAR
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in conjunction with the industry, including Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), has created a self-certified Safe Travels Stamp. The Safe Travels Stamp program is based on the worldwide industry protocols the WTTC has put together for every aspect of the hospitality and tourism sector. The specially designed Safe Travels Stamp will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized.

Date: January 19, 2021 at 11:00 am
For more information and to register visit the website.
HOW TO START A HOME-BASED FOOD BUSINESS
The Ontario government is supporting home-based food businesses by providing a guide on how to start a home-based food business, which includes an overview of public health requirements that need to be followed as a food operator.

TOURISM
EXPLORERS' EDGE/RTO12 WORKFORCE SUPPORT
RTO12 has partnered with the Ryerson University Hospitality & Tourism Students' Society to deliver a job fair-type virtual session on Wednesday, February 3. Entitled "Work & Play in the Great Canadian Wilderness". As it is not possible to include every tourism business in the virtual meeting, RTO12 is creating a content page that Ryerson students will be directed to, indicating job opportunities in the region.

If you are looking for staff, please forward your company's job listing(s) to jack@explorersedge.ca to be included. You MUST have a URL linking directly to the job opportunity(s) to be included.
Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may be interested.

Kind regards,

Leanne Fetterley

TOWNSHIP OF LAKE OF BAYS | Economic Development
Tel: 705-635-2272 ext.235 | Email Leanne