GLOBAL - INNOVATIVE - DISTINCT
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- Province Releases 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan
- Ontario Increases Red-Control Phase Capacity Limits for Indoor Dining
- Al Fresco in the Hills Outdoor Dining Program Re-launched
- Shop Local to Win with the “Explore the Hills” Contest
- Halton Hills Launches New Business Concierge Program
- What Does Affordable Housing Mean to Halton Hills?
- Halton Hills’ 2021 COVID-19 Property Tax Deferral Program
- Halton Global Business Centres Exporting Webinar Series
- Buildings Play an Important Role in the Climate Solution
- Halton Hills Economic Development Services & COVID-19 Information
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Province Releases 2021 Budget -
Ontario's Action Plan
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The Government of Ontario released the 2021 Budget on March 24. It projects a deficit of $33.1 billion and real GDP growth of 4 per cent in 2021-2022 (following a 5.7 per cent decline in 2020-2021). Other key business highlights include:
- $2.8 billion in expanding broadband across the province
- $1.7 billion in additional funding for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- $614 million to provide targeted employment and training supports
- $400 million to support the tourism, hospitality and cultural industries
- $100 million for a new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant
- $10 million to continue the Digital Main Street program
The province is also investing in infrastructure works to enable GO Rail service expansion along the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor from Georgetown to Kitchener, including additional tracks and platforms.
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Ontario Increases Red-Control Phase Capacity Limits for Indoor Dinning |
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Although the Halton Region Public Health Unit will remain in the Red-Control phase, effective March 22, amended capacity limits now allow for up to approximately 50 per cent of a restaurant’s indoor dining area to be accessible to the public, subject to physical distancing rules. However, total occupancy cannot exceed 50 patrons.
As an added measure, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has issued additional instructions to food and drink establishments. The measures went into effect March 23, applicable for all owners, operators and other persons responsible for restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments in Halton Region.
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Al Fresco in the Hills
Outdoor Dining Program Re-launched
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The Town is again accepting applications for its “Al Fresco in the Hills” program, the outdoor dining initiative designed to support local restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments in expanding dining capacity while adhering to public health regulations and COVID-19 safety guidelines. |
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Shop Local to Win with the Explore the Hills Contest |
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Halton Hills residents are encouraged to enter the ‘Explore the Hills’ contest for a chance to win a $75 gift card from the Georgetown BIA, Acton BIA or Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Residents can demonstrate their support for Halton Hills' businesses and enter the contest by taking a photo or screenshot, and uploading it on the contest webpage for an entry to the "Explore the Hills" contest.
The contest runs from March 8-31, 2021.
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Halton Hills Launches
New Business Concierge Program
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Halton Hills’ Business Concierge Program was approved at the March 22 Council meeting. The new program takes a proactive approach to identifying key non-residential economic development opportunities and streamlining the review process. Eligible projects receive complimentary ‘white-glove service’ through a single point of contact dedicated to help navigate the entire investment, development and opening process, and beyond.
Eligibility for the Business Concierge Program for non-residential investments requires meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Project comprises a large development in the Premier Gateway, Georgetown Employment Area or Acton Employment Area
- Minimum of 100,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area
- High profile and complex proposal
- Major employment and assessment generator (total number of jobs and job density)
- Major office, commercial/retail use, mixed-use or tourism generator
- Large monetary investment
- Key sector aligned with the Town’s priority sectors (e.g. advanced manufacturing, clean technology, tourism, food and beverage, office)
- Project facing urgent timelines
The Business Concierge Program will help attract top-tier businesses to grow and diversify the local economy, expedite the development review process and external agency collaboration, and support related economic development strategies.
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What Does Affordable Housing Mean to Halton Hills? |
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As part of its Affordable Housing Engagement Strategy, the Town hosted an Affordable Housing Virtual Open House on March 4 to engage the community on local housing issues and receive feedback on housing challenges, priorities and potential solutions. The input received from the nearly 70 attendees will be incorporated in future affordable housing projects and plans.
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Halton Hills' 2021 COVID-19 Property Tax
Deferral Program
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At the March 22 Council meeting, details were provided regarding the Town’s 2021 COVID-19 Tax Deferral Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP). The application-based deferral program allows eligible property owners facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for a deferred payment plan.
A one-time, pre-authorized monthly re-payment plan is available that consists of seven monthly withdrawals beginning June 28, 2021 to December 29, 2021.
Following enrollment in the deferral program, penalty/interest will be suspended for the duration of the deferral so long as all payments are made.
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Halton Global Business Centres
Exporting Webinar Series
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The Halton Global Business Centre is presenting a free seminar series about exporting. These educational webinars will provide information and helpful advice on how businesses can sell products and services outside of Canada:
April 22, 2021 – 10 - 11:30 a.m.
May 20, 2021 – 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
June 24, 2021 – 10 - 11:30 a.m.
July 22, 2021 – 10 - 11:30 a.m.
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Buildings Play an Important Role in the
Climate Solution
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When it comes to new construction, it is comparatively easier to incorporate energy efficiency measures during the design stage. However, retrofitting the existing building stock also represents a significant opportunity to reduce energy use, costs, and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Buildings (residential and commercial) can often account for over half of a municipality’s GHG emissions. In Halton Hills, residential buildings account for 22 percent of the Town’s GHG emissions.
In support of the Town’s net-zero by 2030 target, staff are developing the Retrofit Halton Hills pilot program, which seeks to help 20 homeowners implement home energy retrofits by providing access to funding using the local improvement charge as a financing mechanism.
Homeowners in Halton Hills are encouraged to provide input and have their say via a brief survey on Let’s Talk Halton Hills consultation platform.
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Halton Hills Economic Development Services
& COVID-19 Information
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Halton Hills’ Economic Development, Innovation and Culture Division provides a full suite of high-quality services and supports to the business community that in turn foster a prosperous economy and enhance quality of life. These include:
- Financial incentives via the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Manufacturing Expansion Fund (MEF);
- Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) programming
- Investment attraction, expansion and relocation
- Business Concierge service
- Site selection assistance
- Market research
- Industry engagement
- Workforce development
- Supporting and advancing affordable housing projects and initiatives
- Amplifying tourism’s economic benefits
- Leveraging and supporting the arts and culture sector to raise quality of life
The Town offers existing and potential businesses a strategic platform for success, proximity to world-class markets, a distinct community with an ideal balance between urban and rural environments, and an outstanding quality of life.
As part of an ongoing commitment to engage with and support the local business community, Economic Development staff continue to update the Town’s COVID-19 Business Supports web page.
Please contact the Town’s Economic Development staff if you require assistance.
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