Member News November 23, 2021
In this issue of Member News:

Keep scrolling for full details.
2022 Business & Workforce Needs Survey

The City of Hamilton's Economic Development Division has partnered with Workforce Planning Hamilton again to jointly create and circulate the 2022 Business & Workforce Needs Survey.

This survey combines questions typically asked in the EmployerOne survey normally distributed by Workforce Planning Hamilton at this time of the year with questions focused on COVID-19 related impacts and the short-term needs and concerns of businesses, as directed and described in the 2021-2025 Economic Development Action Plan.
 
There is a unique link for the Waterdown BIA that will collate answers from our members and allow us to pull and share information specific to our area. Please take a few minutes to answer the survey at the link below.
 
Applications Now Open for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program 

Applications for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program are now open. Eligible businesses required to close or reduce their capacity due to the current public health measures can apply for the program to receive rebate payments for up to 100% of their property tax and energy costs incurred while subject to these measures. 

Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100% of their costs and similarly, those required to reduce capacity to 50%, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50% of their costs. 

Businesses will be required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and energy bills as part of the application process. All eligible businesses must submit an application to be considered, including those that received previous COVID-19 support payments. 

Eligible businesses include: 
  • restaurants and bars 
  • indoor meeting and event spaces 
  • indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas 
  • indoor museums, galleries
  • personal care services (hair or body) 
  • retailers (non-grocery, less than 50,000 sq ft) 
  • small grocery stores (less than 5,000 sq ft) 
  • gyms and other indoor sports and recreational facilities 
  • indoor teaching and instruction centres 
  • before- and after-school programs 
  • pet and veterinary services 

To apply to the program, please visit here. 

For more information on the Ontario Business Costs Rebate program, please visit here. 

To read the provincial government’s technical briefing on the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, please visit here. 

Nominate a Local Business for a FCOC Outstanding Business
Every year, the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce (FCOC) honours and celebrates the best in corporate excellence and community service at its Outstanding Business Achievement (OBA) awards gala. 

Do you know a local business that is worthy of an OBA Award? Categories include:
  • Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Small Business Award (1 - 25 employees)
  • Large Business Award (26+ employees)
  • Resilience Business Award
  • Resilience Individual or Group Award
  • Community Service (Business or Non-Profit)

Nominees do not have to be members of the FCOC, but the business must reside in Flamborough.

Nominations are open now and will be accepted until Feb. 7, 2022.

You can find more details and download OBA Nomination Form 2022 here.

Help Us Promote Your
Valentine's Day Offers
Valentine's Day provides a great opportunity to welcome customers back to your businesses and encourage them to Spend It Here.

Please tag @waterdownbia in your social media posts and/or forward details about your upcoming offers to adamneumann@waterdownbia.ca so we can spread the love and share with BIA audiences.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE, Susan Pennie
We are grateful to see businesses set to re-open Monday and hope beyond hope the most recent round of lockdowns are truly the last. The past two years have been extremely hard on local businesses and we know more challenges lay ahead as government supports shift or end, inflation rises and loans come due. It has never been more important for us to rally together and promote the 'Support Local' message. With your input and engagement, the BIA will continue to focus on programs to drive foot traffic and promote economic recovery.

Here's what we're up to in the first quarter of the year.

NEW Waterdown Village Web Site Set to Launch Soon
We're putting the final touches on the new Waterdown Village website designed to improve the user experience and make it easier than ever for site visitors to connect with our local business community. The site will also be easier for BIA members to navigate with quick links to helpful business resources. The current site is long overdue for an overhaul - we thank you for your patience as we migrate content from our 250+ business members to the new site. Stay tuned for launch details.

2022 Planning
We are in full planning mode for 2022 BIA activities. Like you, we are carefully following news on public health measures and cautiously developing flexible programs that can be modified if needed as the year unfolds. Watch for a 'BIA 2022 Year at a Glance' outlook to help you integrate BIA activities with your individual business plans.

Waterdown Farmers' Market Returns End of May
Thank you to members who provided input on the Waterdown Farmers' Market. Vendor applications for the 2022 season will be posted within the week. Please share Market posts with local farmers and growers you think may be interested in joining the Waterdown Farmers' Market and watch for details on new ways you can get involved and connect with Market visitors this year.

Communications
We will continue to share information as we receive it from government, public health and industry associations. We understand your business is your first priority - at the same time, your engagement with your BIA is vital to help us help you. Please continue to open BIA emails, answer surveys and provide feedback when you can.

Please reach out to me with any thoughts and ideas you have on ways we can better serve you this year.

Kind Regards,
Susan
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Waterdown Village Business Improvement Area