WHAT'S HAPPENING
In Wellington County
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NEW Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant
To receive the grant, a small business must:
- be required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, have fewer than 100 employees
Eligible businesses that previously qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply for the new programme. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks.
Applications to open soon.
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NEW Farm To Retail
Five Week Food Venture Programme
The aim of this free, 10-class programme is to provide entrepreneurs who may be small or medium-sized farmers and food product owners, the knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities to turn their recipes into retail-ready products. Must be a resident of the Region of Waterloo or Wellington County (Limited 20 seats available). Programme starts February 15.
Application Deadline: February 2
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NEW Rhyze Ventures Programme: Applications Open for 2022 Cohort
Innovation Guelph’s Rhyze Ventures programme will be accepting applications soon for the next cohort of women entrepreneurs, which begins in May.
Calling Woman Entrepreneurs! Are you wondering how to navigate the post-pandemic economy? Seize opportunities and drive your business forward with Rhyze Ventures.
Rhyze Ventures is a custom-designed programme created by women entrepreneurs, for women entrepreneurs. We have crafted a balance of in-class learning, practical hands-on project work, mentorship, and peer-to-peer networking to address your biggest business challenges, push your boundaries and see you through to implementation. Towards the end of the programme, entrepreneurs will also have the chance to pitch for cash awards.
Applications will be open online from February 1 to 28.
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Farm-based Cybersecurity: Webinar and Survey
Farmers’ businesses are increasingly connected to high-tech equipment and the digital space. Keeping up with good security practices and systems is a challenge, yet risks of criminal disruption continue to enter this sector.
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Cybersecurity Webinar
The Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project is offering a free webinar on farm cybersecurity. Join this webinar exploring how your farm business might be at risk - and more importantly, what you can do about it.
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Cybersecurity Survey
Survey open until February 18.
Share your thoughts, experiences, and concerns about cybersecurity risks by completing this anonymous survey, hosted by the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA). Your contribution will help improve cyber security across Canada’s agricultural sector.
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EVENT How to Hire and Retain Newcomers and Refugees
Tuesday, February 1, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
With such low labour market engagement numbers and job vacancies, we are seeing a renewed interest from employers around hiring and retaining newcomers and refugees. In this presentation, Jim Estill of Danby Products, who is internationally renowned for his efforts in successfully bringing Syrian refugees to Guelph, will discuss ways to connect with new refugees that arrive as well as the potentially 40,000 refugees from Afghanistan the Government of Canada has intended to bring.
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Beginner Digital Marketing for Small Businesses
The Business Centre Guelph Wellington is hosting 9 weeks of Digital Marketing lab style workshops, with hands on instruction to get you started in all things digital.
These sessions are for beginners in digital marketing and focus on moving clients with the development and launch of your online business presence, to fully implementing your businesses digital marketing plan. Each session is taught by a knowledgeable expert in the Digital field, with hands on instruction in a virtual group lab setting.
Each week will build on the previous weeks learning. Sign up for the full 9 weeks or choose which individual sessions you would like to attend.
Programme starts January 27
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EmployerOne Survey 2022
Share your important perspective about hiring challenges and workforce needs in the Waterloo Wellington Dufferin region.
- Online and confidential
- Only takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete
- Open until January 31
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NEW TIAO Survey on the Current Challenges Facing Ontario's Tourism Businesses in 2022
The purpose of this survey is to understand the impact of the Omicron variant, related restrictions, and what Ontario’s tourism businesses need to recover and rebuild in 2022. We seek your assistance in providing this high-level reporting so that we can advocate on your behalf.
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NEW Government extends loan forgiveness repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account
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. The government is also announcing that the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to December 31, 2023.
Repayment on or before the new deadline of December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000). Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5 per cent per annum commencing on January 1, 2024, with the loans fully due by December 31, 2025.
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Mental Resilience for Entrepreneurs: Tips from CEOs and Pros Workshop Series
Join for a dynamic workshop series that directly addresses the challenges that entrepreneurs face with mental health and resilience. Each month a different CEO will share their personal story of resilience, followed by an interactive workshop facilitated by mental health professionals who provide you with practical tips and tools that you can use to practice new strategies for greater resilience.
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Friday January 21, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Featuring Michael Ritchie, CEO of CGL Manufacturing Inc.
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Friday February 18, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Featuring Jim Estill, CEO of Danby
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Business and Industry Events Calendar
Wellington County wants your business to thrive and we have a network of resources to accomplish this goal. See the calendar to find out what's up next.
Thursday January 20, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Community Safety Knowledge Alliance
Thursday January 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Digital Main Street
Friday January 21, 8:00 - 9:30 am
Innovation Guelph
Tuesday January 25, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Digital Main Street
Tuesday January 25, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Farm Management Canada
Wednesday January 26, 8:00 - 10:00 am
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday January 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Digital Main Street
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Friday January 28, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Farm Management Canada
Tuesday February 1, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Workforce Planning Board Of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin
Tuesday February 1, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Farm Management Canada
Tuesday February 1, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Business Centre Guelph Wellington
Wednesday February 2, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Business Centre Guelph Wellington
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SUPPORTING YOUR BUSINESS
Top Funding Programmes
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REGIONAL
Jobs and Growth Fund
Provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario is investing $224 million to support businesses to build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs. Learn more or apply.
NEW University of Guelph Co-operative Education Programme
Hire a University of Guelph Co-op Student and Get Up to 75% or more In Wage Subsidies. Students are available to be hired in over 40 co-op programmes for 4 or 8-month work terms. Learn more.
FedDev Ontario
FedDev Ontario works to create opportunities for economic growth in southern Ontario by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive. See funding opportunities here.
PROVINCIAL
NEW Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant
Eligible businesses (with fewer than 100 employees) subject to closures as a result of the province’s move to the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen as of January 5 will receive a grant of $10,000. Applications to open within the coming weeks. Learn more or apply.
NEW Ontario Business Costs Rebate Programme
Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments equivalent to 50 percent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to the current capacity limits. Online applications for this programme will open January 18, with payments to eligible businesses provided retroactive to December 19, 2021. Learn more or apply.
NEW Six-month interest- and penalty-free period
The province is providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. The six-month period will begin January 1, and end July 1. Learn more.
NEW Regional Development Programme: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream
Provides financial support (Up to 15% of eligible project costs) to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario, to support projects which invest in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development. Applications will be open until February 10. Learn more.
Ontario Together Fund
Provides funding to firms and organizations for projects that support either Ontario’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or Ontario’s preparedness for future public health emergencies. Funding may include a conditional grant up to 75% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $2.5M and/or complementary supports and services. Application period open until March 31. Learn more or apply.
Reconnect Ontario 2022
Provides funding for festivals and events which occur between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023 that have a tourism economic impact and motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario. Application period open until February 2. Learn more or apply.
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund
Provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario. Application intake opening February 9 - March 23. Learn more or apply.
Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund
A cost-sharing programme designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that either encourage the development of innovative new tourism products, support tourism investment and/or build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry. The programme also supports innovative tourism recovery projects aimed at increasing tourism within Ontario to address the reduction in global travel as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Accepting applications on an ongoing basis. Learn more or apply.
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Programme
Extended until July 31.
Employers can apply to get reimbursed for up to three days pay (max $200/day) paid to employees on paid infectious disease emergency leave until July 31. The programme is administered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Learn more or apply.
Ontario Financial and Tax Relief
FEDERAL
Canada Summer Jobs 2022
Provides wage subsidies to employers (not-for-profit organizations and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees) to create quality work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years during summer 2022. Employers can apply for funding now until January 25. Learn more or apply.
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Programme
Targeted wage and rent support for eligible businesses, charities, and non-profits in the tourism or hospitality sector or those affected by a qualifying public health restriction. Learn more or apply.
NEW Local Lockdown Programme
NEW Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Programme
Targeted wage and rent support for hard-hit eligible businesses, charities, and non-profits outside of tourism or hospitality that have been deeply affected since the start of the pandemic. Learn more or apply.
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
Supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. Contributions to businesses will be either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs OR fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs. Learn More or Apply.
Canada Small Business Financing Programme
For small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower. Learn More or Apply
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
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CELEBRATING YOUR SUCCESS
Sharing Your Story
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Mapleton Hot Sauce Wins 2021 Award
Sorry Sauce, a local hot sauce producer in Mapleton, has won a Canadian Hot Sauce Award for the Best New Sauce of 2021. Their "Curry Curry Hard" Sauce won the top spot this year, while their “Fresh Cents” sauce won the award for Best Jalapeno Sauce in 2020. Sorry Sauce is primarily sold at farmers' markets within the county, including Rockwood and Mapleton. This upcoming season, they will have a permanent spot at the Guelph Farmers' Market.
Share your story with us
If you would like your business to be featured in our In Business Newsletter, please send your story to the Economic Development division at [email protected]. We look forward to connecting with you! |
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Community Improvement Programme (CIP)
What are your plans for 2022? If you are a landowner with commercial, industrial, or agricultural property in the County, you may be eligible for design and construction grants through Wellington County’s Invest Well Community Improvement Programme. The County works with local municipalities to promote economic growth and business expansion. Contact your municipality to apply for local and County grants. Learn more about the CIP Programme here.
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IN THE KNOW
Ontario Business News
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Ontario Working for Workers by Increasing Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour
More than 760,000 workers will benefit from bigger paycheques
The Ontario government has raised the general minimum wage to $15.00 per hour starting January 1. This new, higher general minimum wage is expanded to now include bartenders and alcohol servers. The special minimum wages for students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides have also increased. Read the release.
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Looking for other business resources or support?
Contact Crystal Ellis, Director of Economic Development at 519.837.2600 x 2525
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Alternate formats available upon request. |
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