Vol. 10 - Issue 24
November 13, 2020
GLOBAL - INNOVATIVE - DISTINCT
Watch the video to see why Halton Hills is a great place to do business.

The Town of Halton Hills continues to take proactive, decisive and coordinated action to respond to COVID-19 and to support the local business community
  • Local Businesses Take Advantage of Halton Hills’ Digital Main Street Program
  • Halton Hills’ Ritual ONE Partnership Offers Local Businesses Online Ordering Platform
  • Al Fresco in the Hills Program Extends Temporary Patios with Added Warming Options
  • Ontario Releases New COVID-19 Response Framework
  • Provincial Announcement Highlights
  • Regional Tourism Recovery Grants Now Available
  • Reminder: COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Businesses
  • What Does Affordable Housing Mean to Employers in Halton Hills?
  • New Exhibition at the Helson Gallery
  • Visit InvestHaltonHills.com for COVID-19 Business Support Programing and Information
Local Businesses Take Advantage of Halton Hills' Digital Main Street Program
The Town’s Digital Main Street program launched on October 19 and will run through December 14. Several businesses have already taken advantage of the program and have been awarded Digital Transformation Grants (DTG).

As part of the program, the Town’s Digital Service Squad (DSS) member will work with local main street businesses to expand and improve their online presence and assist them to apply for a $2,500 DTG.

Those who wish to apply for the DTG must do so before November 30, 2020, however, consultation and additional resources remain available until December 14.

The DSS member will assist businesses with:
  • Completing an audit of their digital presence (website, social media, etc.)
  • Adopting new technology for their business
  • Enhancing digital marketing and social media
  • Building a basic website or improving an existing one
  • Optimizing online presence through tools like Google My Business
  • Setting up online ordering systems
  • Creating customer databases
Halton Hills' Ritual ONE Partnership Offers Local Businesses Online Ordering Platform
Halton Hills has partnered with Toronto-based startup, Ritual, to offer local businesses an easy way to accept digital orders online. Ritual ONE is a platform that provides businesses – such as restaurants, grocers, retailers and coffee shops – with an easy way to accept commission-free digital orders directly from a ‘Google My Business’ page, website or social media account.

This initiative provides Halton Hills’ businesses with the opportunity to sign up for Ritual ONE and receive digital ordering and marketing services for free until the end of 2020, including:
  • Waived Ritual ONE subscription fees for the remainder of 2020 (normally $50/month)
  • Waived credit card processing fees for remainder of 2020 (normally 2.8%)
  • Waived Ritual ONE setup fee for the remainder of 2020 (normally $100)

Businesses will also be provided with a dedicated expert to support them during the onboarding process.
Al Fresco in the Hills Program Extends Temporary Patios with Added Warming Options
The Town of Halton Hills has launched phase two of “Al Fresco in the Hills” allowing eligible food and beverage patios to remain open and add warming options for the upcoming cooler months.

Phase two of “Al Fresco in the Hills” will extend the agreements for patios on private property to January 1, 2021. The agreements also allow patio eateries to either erect tents or utilize heaters and run electrical cables to provide shelter and warmth.

In June, the Town launched phase one of the outdoor dining initiative “Al Fresco in the Hills”, to help local food and drink establishments reduce revenue losses caused by necessary compliance with COVID-19 regulations.
Ontario Releases New COVID-19 Response Framework
On November 3, 2020 the Ontario government released the “Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework” to ensure that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Halton Region is currently classified as being in the Yellow (Protect) Stage. 
Provincial Announcement Highlights
Regional Tourism Recovery Grants Now Available
In response to businesses needs during COVID-19, the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association is launching four funding streams to support the tourism industry’s business recovery efforts.

Program areas include coverage for health and safety expenses, market readiness efforts and digital content creation. Intake period for all four grants runs from November 16 – 30, 2020.
Reminder: COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Businesses
The Government of Ontario is providing $8 million to support small businesses and registered charity customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small businesses and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.

Small businesses and registered charity customers may be eligible for up to $850 in support towards their electricity bills if they primarily use electricity for heating, or up to $425 otherwise. They could also be eligible for up to $425 in support towards their natural gas bill.
What Does Affordable Housing Mean to Employers in Halton Hills?
A range and mix of housing options, including market rentals, is critical to attracting and retaining a diverse and high-quality workforce. As part of its ongoing commitment to facilitate affordable and accessible housing in Halton Hills, the Town is embarking on an awareness and engagement strategy and looking for input from the business community.

The Town has set up an online forum to start the conversation. Please help shape the future direction of affordable housing in the Halton Hills.
 
Learn more about affordable housing.
New Exhibition at the Helson Gallery
The Helson Gallery will open a new exhibition on November 18. "Field Notes: Observations on Climate Change" examines the causes and impacts of global warming through the work of 12 artists in photography, painting, print-making and installation media.

Several local artists are featured; the show continues until February 28, 2021.
Visit Invest Halton Hills for COVID-19 Business Support Programming and Information
As part of its ongoing commitment to engage with and support the local business community, the Town continues to update and add to its COVID-19 Business Supports web page. We are continuously gathering information and supports to help you navigate through the resources being announced by all levels of government.
Copyright 2020 Town of Halton Hills
You are receiving this email because you signed up for
the Town's e-newsletter 'Economic Development'