ECONOMIC UPDATE - BUSINESS RESOURCE &
COVID-19 INFORMATION HUB
Updates from the City of St. John's
Entrepreneurs - Contact the City for Business Information
Thinking of starting a business or working on your business plan? While the Welcome Centre at 348 Water Street is closed to the public, we're still here for you.

Please reach out if you need business start-up information from the City of St. John's:
business@stjohns.ca or call 709-576-8107.

Access St. John’s at City Hall is open to the public by appointment only. To book a phone appointment with a City representative:

call 311 or 754-CITY (2489)

COVID-19 newsroom.
City of St. John’s with support from Canadian Medical Association Invest in Free Public WIFI
There has never been a more important time than now to be able to access digital connection. Many information sources and services have moved online, and social interactions and connectivity have also become more virtual.

Thanks to a donation of $60,500 from the Canadian Medical Association Foundation, The City of St. John's will provide two free public wifi areas to be established in Victoria Park and Bannerman Park, in close proximity to non-market housing locations and street outreach services.

Many vulnerable populations rely on public internet, but due to COVID-19 closures, libraries, coffee shops and cafes are no longer accessible. City staff are working to put these free WIFI zones in effect as quickly as possible.
Covid-19 Support Program Updates
NLOWE - Business Interruption Recovery Fund
The Newfoundland & Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs has launched the Business Interruption Recovery Fund to assist women entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador to access business supports to navigate COVID-19. The funds will help source support for small-scale projects related to business operations, business transformation, and recovery measures. The Fund will be used to support at least 30 women business owners in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This initiative is supported through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. For eligibility requirements and to submit an expression of interest click here.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extension
The Federal Government announced major changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and to encourage, employers to re-hire workers previously laid off. The changes will allow availability to more businesses while also laying out a plan to gradually wind down the program by December 19, 2020. 

Effective July 5, 2020, the CEWS will consist of two parts:

  • A base subsidy available to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenues, with the subsidy amount varying depending on the scale of revenue decline; and
  • A top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25% for those employers based on a scale of decline in average revenues over a specified period.

For more information, please visit CRA’s website at this link.  
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program Extended for August
The Federal Government has extended Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), its rent subsidy program to support small businesses, by another month. That program allows businesses with a significant loss in revenue a 75 per cent rent subsidy. 
Have you heard of a business that is adapting to provide pandemic solutions? – Share these stories of ingenuity with Canada and the world - #CanadaResilient
St. John's Tech Company Mysa Raises Funds to Develop New Energy Saving Products

Mysa Smart Thermostats has moved past problems and supply issues caused by COVID-19 to secure investment for energy saving products. Mysa has received $6.2-million in joint funding from existing private investors, with $3-million of that total from new investor the Business Development Bank of Canada. With this funding, the company plans to expand into new types of product categories, for different types of heating and cooling systems. Clean technology companies like Mysa — which produces two types of smart thermostats that control electric heating, and is carbon-neutral-certified — are an attractive area for investors, and a sector that will be key to the economic recovery from the pandemic.
Latest Economic Indicators
City of St. John's Building Permits
...as of July 2020
   
Labour Force       121,400 (down -2.1%)
Unemployment Rate   11.7% (up 4.2 ppts)
Employment     107,200 (down -6.5%)
Participation Rate     64.7% (down 2.0 ppts)

St. John's CMA, seasonally adjusted, three-month moving
average. Percentage change reflects the same month
previous year. Source: Statistics Canada
The New Housing Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 97.2 in June 2020 down -0.1%*

The Consumer Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 138.9 in June 2020 up 0.1%* 

Retail trade for Newfoundland and Labrador was $705 million in May 2020 down -4.1%*

* same month in the previous year. Source: Statistics Canada
April to July

Brewdock, 83 Duckworth St.
Restaurant, 2 Hill O’Chips
Grocery store, 2 Lemarchant Rd.
Napa auto parts, 315 Kenmount Rd 
Cafe & yoga studio, 5 Waterford Bridge Rd.
Chiropractor clinic, 239 Major’s Path
Healing Quay, 65a Lemarchant Rd.
Avalon Laboratories, 5 Sea Rose Dr. 
Kungfu restaurant, 27 Airport Heights 
York Construction, 145 Aberdeen Ave.
Aerie Canada, Avalon Mall
Golfdale Entertainment Corp, 430 Topsail Rd.
Pizza House (Indian cuisine), 9-11 Waldergrave St. 
Leaman Signs, 77 Blackmarsh Rd. 
Northbrook Construction ltd., 2-4 Hallet Cres.
Steam & Fog café, 183 Duckworth St.
Weight loss clinic, 35 White Rose Dr.
Dental practice, 47 Danny Dr. 
Atlantic Cultivation, 50 Captain Prim Dr. 
Teddy Bear Childcare, 110 Cheeseman Dr. 
Cupboard Up, 21-23 Queens Rd.
Café & ice cream shop, 673 Topsail Rd.
Fitness Plus, 120 Torbay Rd.
Mickeys Sandwich Company, 302 Water St. 
Massage Addict, 17 Elizabeth Ave.
Kraken Art Gallery & Studio, 44 Pleasant St. 
Islander Athletics, 57 Old Pennywell Rd.   
Truck and trailer inspection station, 308 Back Line
Atlantic Nail Supply, 31 Peet St.
Medical clinic, 145 Aberdeen Ave. York construction, Nutra Holdings
Power & Associates Accountants, 84-86 Elizabeth Ave.
Meraki Beauty Boutique, 10-12 Pippy Pl. 
Atlantic Cultivation, 50 Captain Prim Dr.
ServiceMaster Restore, 40 Bay Bulls Rd.
The Brick, 58 Kenmount Rd.
India food, Avalon Mall 
Northpoint Sports, 42 O’Leary Ave
Sutton Aurora Realty Ltd., 74 O’Leary Ave.
Kylo Construction, 60 O’Leary Ave.
Home-based Businesses

Cleaning Service, 330 Anspach St.
Remote translation services, 53 Long Pond Rd.
Home office, 8 Trepassey Pl. 
Yana Wellness, 109 Winslow Street
On-line Sales, 12A Mountainview Dr.
Spa services, 46 Bell’s Turn
Massage therapy, 25 Julieann Pl.
Online Clinical Trial Consulting, 2A King’s Bridge Crt.
Hair salon, 3 Cypress St.
Electrician, 3 Errol Pl.
Doggy daycare, 133 Old Bay Bulls Rd.


2020 Total Year-to-Date 75
  • Regular               57
  • Home-based     18
Virtual Event Listings
Further Support & Resources from the Federal, Provincial (NL) & Municipal Government(s) & Industry Associations
APEC - Atlantic Provinces Economic Council - Click here

BOT - St. John’s Board of Trade -

CBA - Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce - Click here

MPCC - Mount Pearl Chamber of Commerce - Click here

CFIB - Canadian Federation of Independent Business - Click here

PLA - Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador - Click here
OA - Oceans Advance - Click here

NOIA - Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Industry Association - Click here

NATI - Newfoundland Association of Technology & Innovation - Click here

NEIA - Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association - Click here

NLCA - Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association - Click here

HNL - Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador - Click here
Department of Community Services | Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships
(709) 576-8107 | business@stjohns.ca | www.stjohns.ca