January 5, 2022
From all of us here at the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, we would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year. But, we are very aware that the recently announced restrictions have made the start of 2022 anything but happy, particularly for specific sectors.

As President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Rocco Rossi, states, “We recognize that public health and a healthy economy are intrinsically linked, however, sweeping new restrictions – impacting employers, workers, and families – unaccompanied by immediate and commensurate supports is unacceptable nearly two years into the pandemic. We need a comprehensive plan that ties restrictions to clear, data-based metrics so that employers, workers, and families can plan ahead."

The government has announced a handful of supports, which you can find below, but our businesses need more than what is currently available to them if we want to see our local economy survive and rebound.

We strongly encourage everyone to follow public health guidelines: keep yourselves, your employees, and your community safe. Keep supporting local businesses as often as possible. Keep in touch and let us know what you need, if you’re running into obstacles accessing supports, and send us your feedback as often as possible. We are actively working with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to advocate for additional supports, metrics-driven decision-making, and comprehensive planning for both the short- and long-term future.

Be kind. Stay safe, everyone.
Supports for Businesses
  • The Ontario Business Cost Rebate Program: Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. 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. A full list of eligible business types will be made available when applications for the program open later this month.

  • Six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for the following provincially administered taxes (beginning January 1, 2022, and ending July 1, 2022).
  • Employer Health Tax
  • Beer, Wine & Spirits Taxes
  • Tobacco Tax
  • Insurance Premium Tax
  • Fuel Tax
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement
  • Gas Tax
  • Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts & Benefit Plans
  • Mining Tax
  • Race Tracks Tax

The Federal Government also announced its intention to temporarily expand eligibility for key support programs to ensure Canadians are protected and workers and businesses get the help they need to sustain them through new public health restrictions. Using regulatory authority provided in Bill C-2, the government intends to introduce new regulations that would:

  • Expand the Local Lockdown Program to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more; and reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent. Eligible employers will receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.

  • Expand the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more. As announced previously, this benefit will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown, and who have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.

These updated regulations will apply from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022, during which time it is expected that public health authorities will continue to implement “circuit-breaker” restrictions that limit the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 across Canada.
Advertising Opportunities

Take advantage of the Chamber's exposure opportunities and get the word out about YOUR business!

Here’s a quick recap on how we can help you get your business in front of potential customers.
  • NEW Virtual Sponsorship and Events Banner programs
  • VIRTUAL SPONSORSHIP: your logo goes out with each virtual event invitation, in each regular biweekly NL, on social before and after the event, and in the event wrap-up email to attendees. That’s a guaranteed minimum of 4 times per event, plus 2 bi-weekly newsletters per month ($100*, valid Jan to Jun)
  • EVENTS BANNER: your logo appears on our Events Banner that gets displayed at every in-person event in 2022, including our annual golf tournament, which had nearly 150 attendees in 2021! Includes a monthly shout-out in our email newsletter. Banner will be displayed in the Chamber office when not at events. ($200*, full year)
  • SPECIAL OFFER: sign up by January 15 to participate in both the Virtual Sponsorship and the Events Banner programs for just $225* (a savings of $75*)
  • Regular newsletter: inclusion in regular bi-weekly chamber newsletter (free of charge)
  • Member-to-Member standalone eblasts: just your message ($75*)
  • Website advertising (prices vary)

*all prices are exclusive of tax; HST will be added

Interested? Click HERE for more information.
Upcoming Events
Coffee and #ConnectingGrimsby Virtual Networking

Friday, January 14 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Start 2022 off with a bang and join us for a virtual Coffee and #ConnectingGrimsby networking event!

Grow your business network in our breakout rooms that let you get face-to-face with fellow local business owners and community organizations!
Grimsby Chamber Annual General Meeting -
Nominations are open!

March 9 | 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Our 2021 virtual Annual General Meeting is quickly approaching on March 9 and Board of Director nominations are officially OPEN!
Are you interested in becoming more involved with your Chamber? Do you want to have a say in the programming and direction of activities going forward? Do you know someone who fits this bill? Nominate someone for the Board of Directors today! (Yes, you can nominate yourself.)⁠
And, join us on March 9 from 4 - 4:30 PM at the AGM to look back on the year, vote on the Slate of Directors, learn about our new initiatives, and lend your voice to YOUR Chamber! Registration available soon.
Niagara 2022 Canada Games: Virtual Tourism Forum

Thursday, January 6 | 10 AM - NOON
Initiatives
Grimsby's Got It!

Multiple local business owners and community partners have come together to launch Grimsby’s Got It – a shop local initiative that showcases everything that Grimsby’s Got! Food and Beverage establishments, Retail, Health/Wellness, Sports/Fitness, Services, Organizations...

You name it, we’ve got it here in Grimsby!
How can you get involved?

What has the Grimsby’s Got It team been up to in the community?
We are currently out of stock of Rapid Antigen
Self-Screening Kits
Ontario currently has a limited supply of rapid antigen tests that are being prioritized for health care and highest risk settings.

The province is continuing to urge the federal government to make more rapid tests available to provinces as quickly as possible. The Grimsby Chamber of Commerce has placed another order of kits and is expecting to receive the shipment near the end of January 2022.

Have any questions? Reach out to us at info@grimsbychamber.com and we will be more than happy to help.
Rapid Screening Testimonials
"We are very thankful to have the support of the Grimsby Chamber of Commerce in providing the antigen tests that we need! It is great to have a local spot available to pick the tests up. Rebecca was so helpful when we had to switch over from the Beamsville Chamber to Grimsby. Thank you so much."

- Laurie
"We are very grateful for the Rapid Test Program as it is
protecting the most vulnerable sector from COVID-19."

- Susanne
"I have been very pleased with this program. It has been easy to follow and very organized! It feels good to have some support during this strange time. Having the test weekly has been reassuring and has allowed me to continue treating with ease. I feel my clients have felt more comfortable and after all it is all about
taking care of our community."

- Angela
"While starting out with some trepidation, the program has worked very well for us.
It took us a bit to find out that we were able to request test kits via the Chamber of Commerce, but once we were set up, things have gone very smoothly, and the website is easy to navigate. Instant confirmation is provided by email, which is very helpful. A special thank you to Rebecca Shelley for her assistance and positive attitude. A local solution with human interaction is definitely preferred over Ministry websites. Grimsby Chamber of Commerce has done a great job to make the process smooth."

- Bert
Ten Minute Survey Allows Canadian SMEs to Shape OECD Policy Priorities
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) works to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions for a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. They are the coordinating organization for Canadian businesses seeking to engage with Business at OECD (BIAC), the official business advisory group to the OECD’s deliberations.

BIAC has prepared the 2022 SME and Entrepreneurship Survey to provide more precise data to show policymakers and the OECD how SMEs adapt to new challenges, and the digital tools that will be useful as business practices change.

We encourage you to take ten minutes of your time to help shape the international policy environment. The survey will close Friday, January 14, 2022.
Downtown Reimagined Project
We encourage everyone to participate in the Downtown Reimagined survey to help shape the vision for downtown. Please CLICK HERE.

The formal public visioning session is slated for the end of January/beginning of February. Check back to the project page for more updates. CLICK HERE.

Draw YOUR Downtown! What would you like to see in Downtown Grimsby? Fill out the colouring sheet below and drop it off at Town Hall or email to amccallum@grimsby.ca!
Member to Member
West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation
Member Benefits
Lenovo Sales
Are you ready for the new year?
Get 2022 ready with upgraded PCs, accessories and more from Lenovo! Receive up to 60% off award-winning technologies.

This offer is valid now through 01/09/22, while supplies last!
Click below to learn more about just a few of our
membership benefits!
Comments, feedback, and suggestions? Tell us here!