Ontario Covid 19 Small Business Relief Grant is for eligible businesses subject to closures as a result of the province’s move to the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. They can receive a grant of $10,000. If you previously qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant you do not need to actively apply.

Applications for Small Business Relief Grant for those eligible businesses that were not previously eligible is expected to open soon.

New Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

Eligible businesses that were required to close or reduce capacity will be eligible to 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. 

Applications open January 18, 2022 and are retroactive to December 19th. Review the program guide.

Under these measures, business may be eligible to delay payments, six-month interest free and penalty free fee periods, on many provincial taxes. The eligible period will be January 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022.

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP): The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program which has a 40% threshold on current losses for last 12 month periods has been lowered to 25% per current month, not 12 month period comparable, and covers two wage and rent subsidy periods of December 12, 2021– February 12, 2022. This program applies specifically for businesses in the tourism and hospitality, arts, entertainment and recreation sectors.

Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP): The government has temporarily expanded eligibility and thresholds under The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program. This wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations is available under the Local Lockdown Program. This program is for entities who were subject to capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more. The threshold is also reduced to 25 per cent for eligible applicants who are applying over two wage and rent subsidy periods (24 and 25), December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022).

Canada Summer Jobs 2022: Eligible businesses and organizations who are seeking support for full time jobs for youth aged 15 – 30 and will offer a minimum of six (6) weeks and 30 hours/week jobs with an employment end date of September 3, 2022 maybe interested in making an application under the Canada Summer Jobs program. This is a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program.  Applications are due by January 25, 2022 and applicants should be notified by April 2022 of the status of their submission.

2022 Summer Experience Program (SEP): The Summer Experience Program provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities to create career-related summer employment opportunities for students. The summer employment positions must focus on activities supporting key sectors within the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. SEP employment opportunities must offer training, work experience and skills transferable to the general workforce and to future careers. The positions must focus on activities that support the key sectors of tourism, culture, heritage and sport and recreation. Applications are due by February 15, 2022 and are available through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal.

Francophone Job Creation Program: The Francophone Job Creation program provides wage subsidy support of up to 50% for eligible hires after September 24, 2021 and before March 31, 2022. Applications are available through the local Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation.

OHTO Skills Development: The OHTO Skills Development fund can support tourism businesses with up to $2,500 of financial support for projects in following categories, Digital Skillset and E-Commerce, Business Development Support, Customer Service and Recruitment & Retention. The funding must be used by March 31, 2022 and applications are accepted until funding is depleted.

Petawawa Council has adopted a Community Improvement Plan. This plan provides for financial incentive programs for eligible Petawawa commercial landowners and tenants to seek matching financial aid, within limits, for select property improvements.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please review the plan details and make arrangements to meet with the municipal economic development officer. Funds are limited and will be disbursed on a case by case basis. Businesses will be required to obtain quotes for proposed eligible projects to include as part of their application process. Once approved for funding, by Council, reimbursement of the approved municipal portion would occur when the project is complete. Review the CIP Plan.

The Employer One Survey is a survey of local businesses conducted by the Labour Market Group of Renfrew and Lanark County. The information provided leads to a better understanding of regional labour market demand priorities. The survey will be available from January 4, 2022 to February 18, 2022. Here is the direct link for the Renfrew and Lanark survey.

Town of Petawawa