GLOBAL - INNOVATIVE - DISTINCT
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- Halton Region Returns to Red-Control Phase of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework
- Halton Hills Approves New Five-Year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
- Town Seeks Input from Local Businesses for Community Improvement Plan Update
- Join the March 4 Virtual Open House on Affordable Housing
- Town Launches Second Cohort of “Artrepreneur” Program
- Applications Now Open for Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Grants
- Ontario Extends Off-Peak Electricity Rates to Provide Relief for Small Businesses and Farms
- Ontario Expands Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant
- Celebrate Black History Month in Halton Hills
- Applications Now Open for BDC’s Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program
- Halton Hills Economic Development Services and COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Updates from the Town
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Halton Region Returns to Red-Control Phase of Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework |
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On February 16, Halton Hills – as part of the Halton Region Public Health Unit – moved into the “Red-Control” phase of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework.
All public health regions will remain in their current level for at least two weeks, at which time, the government will assess the impact of public health and workplace safety measures to determine if the region should stay where they are or be moved to a different level.
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Halton Hills Approves New Five-Year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy |
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On February 1, Council approved a new five-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy to ensure Halton Hills’ long-term economic prosperity, grow non-residential investment, increase local jobs, and support strategic decision making.
The strategy is comprised of 26 goals and objectives, as well as 137 associated actions. It is modern, practical, actionable, and comprehensive. It also positions the Town as a leading stakeholder and central driver for economic prosperity, locally and regionally.
The flexible strategy also allows the Town to respond to challenges and changing economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Town Seeks Input from Local Business for Community Improvement Plan Update |
Halton Hills is updating its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and seeking input from local businesses and property owners, organizations and developers on their future development and investment plans and potential municipal supports.
The Town is now looking to build upon the existing CIP’s strengths and successes, while also exploring potential additional tools and incentives to stimulate broader community improvement. Input gathered from stakeholders will help refine the plan’s incentive programs to address the unique needs of Halton Hills’ businesses.
The CIP encourages private sector investment and revitalization throughout the community by providing financial incentives to eligible projects within particular areas of the Town. Since its approval in 2010, the Town's CIP has been successful at stimulating and/or supporting private sector investment, especially as it relates to building, façade and landscape improvements, as well as environmental site assessments.
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Join the March 4 Virtual Open House
on Affordable Housing
What Does this Mean to You and Your Business
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The Town is hosting a virtual Affordable Housing Open House on Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. as part of Halton Hills’ affordable housing awareness and engagement strategy.
Topics include affordable housing initiatives in the Town and the benefits of accessory dwelling units in today’s housing market. Healthy communities need a range of housing options to attract and retain a viable workforce.
Join the virtual Open House and help shape the future of affordable housing initiatives in Halton Hills.
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Town Launches Second Cohort of
"Artrepreneur" Program
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Artrepreneur Halton Hills is back for a second year. People who work in the arts and cultural sector can apply for 10 weeks of free virtual instruction (Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m., March 24 - May 26) with sessions covering business planning, marketing, grant-writing, networking, and more taught by industry experts.
Applicants must live in or operate an arts practice, organization or business in the Town of Halton Hills.
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Applications Now Open for Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Grants |
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As of February 16, grants of up to $5,000 are once again available through the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF).
The CUSBRF was established by RBC to help small businesses offset the costs of expenses to open safely or adopt digital technologies to move more of their businesses online.
The fund is managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national chamber network.
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Ontario Extends Off-Peak Electricity Rates Relief for Small Businesses and Farms |
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The Ontario government is once again extending electricity rate relief for families, small businesses, and farms. The government will continue to hold electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour until February 22, 2021.
During this period, the off-peak price will continue to be automatically applied to electricity bills of all residential, small business, and farm customers who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility.
This lower rate is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for Time-of-Use and tiered customers. The off-peak rate came into effect January 1, 2021.
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Ontario Expands Eligibility for
Main Street Relief Grant
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The Ontario government is expanding the number of small businesses that can apply for the Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Small businesses with 2 - 19 employees in all eligible sectors – expanded from 2 - 9 employees – including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for up to $1,000 in financial support.
The one-time grant reimburses main street businesses for up to $1,000 in PPE costs incurred since March 17, 2020. Eligible businesses now include those with 2 - 19 employees in the following sectors:
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Repair and maintenance
- Personal and laundry services
- Gyms and yoga studios
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
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Applications Now Open for BDC's Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) |
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The Business Development Bank of Canada’s HASCAP launched on February 1 to provide financial support to businesses that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million.
HASCAP is intended to help businesses with their day-to-day operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis and enable them to invest in their longer-term prosperity.
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Celebrate Black History Month in Halton Hills |
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Check out these exclusive livestreamed releases of new music by Acton recording artists Promise and Liya, funded in part by “The Artist Next Door,” an annual program through the Town of Halton Hills’ COVID-19 recovery response for the arts and culture sector.
Click on the links below to discover the listening party videos on YouTube and support local.
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Halton Hills Economic Development Services and COVID-19 Information |
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Halton Hills’ Economic Development, Innovation and Culture division provides a full suite of high-quality supports to the business community that in turn fosters a prosperous economy and enhances quality of life, including:
- Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) programming
- Elevating and promoting Halton Hills’ competitiveness in the global marketplace
- Delivering a comprehensive Business Concierge program
- Site selection assistance
- Market research
- Industry engagement
- Implementation of the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Manufacturing Expansion Fund (MEF)
- Amplifying tourism’s economic benefits
- Leveraging the arts and culture to raise quality of life
Economic development staff are focused on engaging, informing and supporting the economic interests and needs of existing and future residents, businesses and/or organizations located in Halton Hills.
As part of an ongoing commitment to engage with and support the local business community, Economic Development staff continue to update and add to the Town’s COVID-19 Business Supports webpage.
Staff is continuously gathering and updating information and supports to help businesses navigate through the resources being announced by all levels of government.
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COVID-19 Updates from the Town |
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Stay up-to-date on the most recent COVID-19 updates from the Town. Click the subscribe button on the bottom right of the page and get updates right to your inbox on topics such as vaccinations, provincial announcements, service adjustments and more. |
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Copyright 2021 Town of Halton Hills
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