The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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We are happy to see signs of spring and are hopeful we will be able to open our doors soon! There are various updates below including information on rapid test kits for our businesses and upcoming events and training opportunities. As always, we are marketing Listowel and our business community through radio, print, social media and general promotions. Our Coordinator continues to work from her home office but is available via email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233. Please reach out to us at anytime. |
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Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Thank you Brayden from Off The Lens Media and all those who attended!
Our AGM was held virtually on April 7, 2021 at 7pm. During our meeting, we reviewed highlights from 2020, outlined our marketing plan and initiatives for 2021 and had a keynote address! Thank you to Brayden Gingrich, owner of Off The Lens Media, who presented to our members on the 5 Common Marketing Mistakes that most companies make and how to fix them. It was a great presentation that was informative and left us with simple takeaways to improve our digital marketing.
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Listowel Sign Wars!
When one business has a great idea, another responds in quick order, and a town is looking for some positivity, you get Listowel Sign Wars! It has been so much fun to see this community enjoying a friendly banter of sign wars over the past few weeks! Thanks to Listowel Speedy Glass for the great initiative and Listowel Dairy Queen (DQ) for responding so quickly! Our community has really come together to spread some much needed joy and positivity during these hard times! See HERE For a news story from BBC news!
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North Perth Virtual Teddy Bear PlayDay!
The North Perth Teddy Bear Play Day is once again going to be a fun virtual and interactive event. You can support this great event by submitting a picture of a teddy bear by May 7 as well as participate in the Teddy Bear Hunt from June 14 to 19. See the details in the poster and support a fun event for our kids!
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Perth Country Free Workshops!
Perth County is offering a FREE online workshop for businesses to learn more about shifting to create COVID-19 resilient experiences and discover new business recovery strategies. Participation in this webinar is the first step in working to create and market a new offering for your business. For more information and to register, click HERE.
Perth County, Town of St. Marys, and Destination Stratford have teamed up with Ontario By Bike to introduce the expansion of its bicycle friendly business certification network and how to tap into the growing market of cycle tourism. Register for a FREE webinar HERE to learn more about this opportunity, familiarize yourself with cycle tourism in our region, and find out how welcoming cyclists can be good for your business.
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Rapid Test Screening Now Available
Perth County businesses are now eligible to participate in the ‘Stay Safe ™’ rapid test screening pilot project. This testing program only applies to those who are asymptomatic. All interested businesses must register for the Antigen Screening Program HERE before ordering screening kits directly. Pickup locations are currently available in Waterloo and Stratford and may expand in the future. The program will be facilitated by Perth County staff.
For screening guidelines and frequently asked questions visit Communitech Business Resources HERE. The full Ontario Release can be found HERE.
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Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave
The Ontario Government is providing time-limited access to three days of paid COVID-19 leave days. This will help ensure that employees can pay their bills as they help stop the spread of the virus, including by getting tested, waiting for their results in isolation or going to get their vaccine. The province will partner with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to deliver the program and reimburse employers up to $200 per day for each employee.
The province has also offered to provide funding to the federal government to double CRSB payments to Ontario residents, adding an additional $500 per week to eligible individuals for a total of $1,000 per week. Combined with the province’s proposed three days of paid COVID-19 leave, doubling the CRSB would provide Ontario workers with access to the most generous pandemic paid leave in the country. You can read more HERE.
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North Perth Cares - Living Works "Start" Training Available!
North Perth Cares, a grassroots organization, seeks to support residents in their journey to improved mental health. They recognize the impact that COVID has had on our residents with immeasurable stresses both financially and emotionally to our businesses. They are looking to offer Living Works "Start" training to business owners, free of cost. This program teaches trainees to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support. The program is done virtually and takes about 90 minutes to complete. For more information on the Living Works Start program visit HERE. To reach out to North Perth Cares with questions or to participate in the program, click HERE.
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Entrepreneurs & Mental Health - A FREE Service
The uncertainty, business closures, job losses and financial stresses brought on by COVID-19 has impacted the mental health and wellness of small business owners and entrepreneurs. In an effort to help, the City of Stratford Social Services Department is offering a mental wellness support counselling program at no cost to business owners in Perth County, the City of Stratford and the Town of St. Marys.
If you need a safe space to talk they will connect you with a licensed counsellor. No personal information will be collected.
- For residents in Perth County, the City of Stratford and the Town of St Marys, call Family Services Perth-Huron directly 519-273-1020, x108 at any time.
- Counselling and one-on-one support is provided by Family-Services, Perth-Huron (All Clinicians are fully licensed and accredited to provide professional counselling services in Ontario under the Psychotherapy Act of Ontario.)
More information can be found HERE.
In addition to the support above, Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) has heard from many people in the hospitality industry asking for more when it comes to mental health and in response has launched their mental health support portal called Hospitality Stay Strong to highlight resources available including free online therapy, resources and webinars.
SBC Ontario Economic Recovery Network
Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario has launched a new website to increase access and awareness of Small Business COVID-19 Recovery services available to small businesses. SBC provides business owners and entrepreneurs no-charge access to expert advisors from virtually all business sectors and offers a variety of services and events.
Governmental Financial Support and Resources
As a reminder, the following financial support and resources are available:
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Business Helping Businesses Facebook Networking Group
The North Perth Chamber of Commerce with support from the Listowel BIA has launched a new Networking Group page on Facebook. North Perth businesses can unite online to support each other, share experiences and develop a network of peers. All North Perth businesses are welcome. To join the group, go HERE.
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Municipality of North Perth Supports
Shop Local North Perth is an e-commerce marketplace hosted by the Municipality of North Perth with the purpose of supplying an online platform to support and connect North Perth businesses with buyers. If you are a North Perth business or organization and have a product or service to offer for a set price, you can join this marketplace. For more information or to register, email contact@shoplocalnorthperth.ca or check out the media release HERE.
North Perth also has a website listing for businesses to let customers know of hours, services, and general operations during this time. Email Kim Kowch to add or update your business information to the North Perth Eats and Open for Business North Perth pages on the Municipality of North Perth website.
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Please reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or require assistance. We will continue to promote supporting local during this time through various channels including social media, radio and print.
You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.
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©Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3
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