E-NEWS
Weekly
February 17, 2021 | Issue 7
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From the Desk of the CEO... |
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This week marks the start of a gradual re-opening of Ontario’s economy. As Brantford-Brant begins in the Orange-Restrict zone, please be aware of the conditions now in place under this zone. It is incumbent upon all businesses to re-open safely using PPE and financial resources you need and are able to access. Businesses have proven to be an easy target for an actionable activity to reduce the spread, even if the data may not support it in certain regions, so please stay vigilant and stay safe. Please see this week’s resources for additional supports.
Stay safe, Dave
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NOW OPEN: Canada United Grant, up to $5,000 for small businesses
Grants of up to $5,000 are now available to small businesses to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE), renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines, and developing or improving website and e-commerce capabilities.
The Canada United Small Business Relief fund was created as part of Canada United, a nationwide campaign led by RBC and over 70 large businesses, the national network of Chambers of Commerce, and leading business associations to encourage Canadians to buy and dine local.
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Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE |
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To be eligible, your business must have 2 to 19 employees and be in one of the following sectors:
- retail
- accommodation and food services
- repair and maintenance
- personal and laundry services
- gyms and yoga studios
- arts, entertainment, and recreation
Eligible small businesses will get one-time grants of up to $1,000.
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Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability (HASCAP)
Is this the right financing for your business?
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Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. These loans are for small & medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19. Read more...
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The Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant would like to officially welcome
Remedy Patricia Jane Evans
February 10th, 2021
8lbs 9oz
Congratulations to our staff member Greg and his beautiful wife Mallory
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Annual MP/MPP Fireside Chat
Friday, March 5, 2021 - 8:00 - 9:00 am
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We'll hear from both, MP Phil McColeman and MPP Will Bouma who will speak on issues of concern to the business community of Brantford-Brant.
As debuted at last year's event, Slido will be available for registered ticket holders to ask questions through the moderator, President Ken McNaughton.
Please register, in order to receive the link to the event, which will be sent out the day before.
Proceeds from the registration will be in support of Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre.
This Year's Exclusive Sponsors are:
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Annual General Meeting & President's Event
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
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It has been an exceptional year and our collective work has never been more important. Please join us for our Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) and President's Event. Your participation in our upcoming AGM is critical to help shape the future for businesses in our community. |
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A member identified a sophisticated scam attempt before it became successful, and the scammers may be targeting other Brantford-Brant businesses. The scheme involves an email from a customer (claiming to be hearing impaired and unable to talk on the phone,) requesting services and seeming quite knowledgeable about what they’re talking about, but eventually asking targeted businesses to assist them in paying other companies involved in their predicament after receiving a deposit via credit card from the scammer.
In this specific case, the scammer claimed to be moving into a new home and was looking to purchase a new water heater, but after arranging the service asked the targeted company to pay the movers for her via e-transfer as she has no online banking access and was in the hospital receiving treatment for her hearing disability.
This particular scam has also targeted auto shops, requesting that they assist her in paying the tow truck company (via e-transfer) to have her vehicle towed to their shop for service. The likely scheme is that the scammer sends funds via credit card and then immediately charges the payment back, or uses a stolen credit card number to send a deposit before receiving a higher amount from the victim via e-transfer (as the moving company, tow truck company, etc. don’t actually exist.)
Please be vigilant and look for warning signs of a potential scam when getting unusual requests like this from new customers!
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Member Products & Services! |
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Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie |
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Service Canada & Canada Revenue Agency
Wednesday, Feb. 24 @ 9:30am
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To help support our local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie is partnering with Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency to deliver a remote business session.
A session will be up to two hours long, including Q&A portions and focus on latest updates to the following programs and services.
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Canada Revenue Agency topics for businesses that will be covered will include:
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): for employers who have seen a drop in revenue during COVID-19 to cover part of their employee wages
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy for Businesses (CERS): for businesses who have seen a drop in revenue during COVID-19 to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits
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Service Canada topics for businesses that will be covered include:
The Work Sharing Program: businesses who need to reduce their employees’ hours due to the economic downturn can enter into a contract with the government to have EI paid to those employees to top up their income and retain employees
ROE Web: online Records of Employment service tutorial, includes remote assistant
The Wage Earner Protection Program: government subsidy in the event an employer does not have the resources to provide an employee their last salary
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PD27 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-identification Form for Employers. Click here
Support for your business from the Government of Canada. Click here to find out which supports best fit your business
Support for Individuals from the Government of Canada. Click here to find out which supports best fit your business
Business Resilience Service phoneline: call 1-866-989-1080 to connect with a business advisor from the accounting profession. The service is available 7 days/week from 8 am – 8 pm ET
Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA); This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. Click here to apply
Develop your Workplace Safety Plan with tools from the Government of Ontario here.
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Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
519.753.2617
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