Throughout the entirety of 2021, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce have seen truly incredible resilience and persistence from our members. We see you. We support you. We’re in this with you. And we will do everything we can to help you and your business throughout this continued difficult time.

The purpose of this collaborative newsletter is to share relevant updates, resources, and information with our collective memberships. We hope that this newsletter can become the first resource that you turn to for breaking news about new government initiatives that will serve small businesses, COVID-19 updates, grant opportunities, etc.

In the Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln's continued collaboration, we are working on a number of joint events that will provide you and your business with information, advocacy, and connections.

Coming up on Wednesday, February 2, we have our West Niagara Virtual Town Hall with Regional Councillors Robert Foster (Town of Lincoln), Wayne Fertich (Town of Grimsby), Albert Witteveen (Township of West Lincoln), and Diana Huson (Town of Pelham).

While we certainly didn’t see 2022 starting off the way it has, we are committed to continuing to bring you, our valued members, relevant and timely information. We are incredibly proud of the collaboration between our three chambers over the last 22 months, and we look forward to continuing to evolve our programming to meet the needs of our local businesses. I know I speak for my peers at the Lincoln and West Lincoln Chambers when I express our admiration for the passion, dedication, perseverance, resilience, and kindness that businesses across West Niagara and beyond have shown in the face of tremendous uncertainty, frustration, and adversity. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back – you deserve it! Let’s work together to kick recovery into overdrive this year, and create a community where we all thrive!

 - Rebecca Shelley, Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce

Reflecting on the past two years, it has been a difficult & challenging time for many businesses, organizations, and communities but you all have shown incredible resilience, determination, and strength. The West Niagara Chambers is here for you as we continue to advocate on behalf of you and provide you with essential information that you need to for your business. The West Niagara Chambers will continue to work closely to serve our members by providing value and joint programs to ensure you have a prosperous 2022 and beyond.

- Lindsey Hendriks, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

As 2022 unfortunately is not starting off as we had hoped, it is so important for all businesses to continue to be resilient, as best as you can, and get through these very difficult times. Our West Niagara Chambers will continue to facilitate various opportunities of support and business development while we continue to serve and operate our individual community chambers and boards. Working together in collaboration will continue to make us stronger, which in turn, will enable us to offer you ongoing support tools, key information and opportunities to help you move forward. Please continue to reach out for any assistance you may require…we are here for you!

 - Denise Potter, West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

Your feedback is very important to us - it helps us plan our programming for 2022 in order to provide the resources that matter to you.

With your responses, we can focus our energies on bringing you valuable and informative newsletters and events. Please take a moment to share what you're looking for in 2022 via a very short survey.

Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.

The government announced an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen. Eligible businesses which were subject to closures will receive a grant of $10,000.

The government is providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

This two-year, $40 million program will support advanced manufacturing businesses to invest in the equipment, advanced technologies and skilled workforce needed to improve competitiveness and growth.

The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.

For a full list of financial supports compiled by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, please click HERE.