COVID-19

The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is receiving information on the impact of COVID-19 on business and our region from various sources. We will continue to populate this page as additional business information, surveys, resources and programs become available. See other News, Health and Public Notices for Leeds Grenville.

Please ensure your business information is up to date in our business directory and/or tourism directory.

Our office, along with the region's CFDC's, Small Business Centres, Employment Centres, Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Associations and more are here to help you, during the pandemic and always.

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South Eastern Ontario Regional Business Support Townhall - Minister Lisa MacLeod Update Free. Wed., February 3, 2 - 3 pm. Register by 4 pm on February 2nd.

Ontario Government is looking for input on how the government can continue to support people and employers during COVID-19. Learn how to make your submission or complete the survey. Deadline: February 12, 2021.

Health and Safety

Ontario Public Health Measures per Sector

Signs

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Government of Ontario

World Health Organization

Workplace Guidance - May 10

Financial Support

Agriculture & Horticultural Support and Recovery Funding

Open to eligible Ontario Agricultural and Horticultural Societies
Stream 1 - Base Support Funding - one-time payment to support continued delivery of agricultural and horticultural education across Ontario
Stream 2 - Hardship Funding - Agricultural Societies funding based on gate receipts from 2019 to cover operating losses and expenses related to building capacity for operating through COVID-19
Submission deadline is February 8, 2021, with payment to be issued by March 31, 2021
See webpage for more details on eligibility and submission requirements

Tourism Adaptation Fund

For Tourism-related business located within Leeds Grenville (except for Gananoque businesses who could access similar funds)
Application period is now open until February 15, 2021 at 4 pm, early applications are encouraged with limited funds.
Non-repayable grants between $1,500 - $20,000. Applicants need to have matching cash contribution of 20% as the grant will cover 80% excluding HST.
Eligible costs include signage and equipment for meeting health and safety protocols, alterations to accommodate social distancing and digital tools.
For the application and more details on eligible tourism businesses and costs visit the Region 9 Regional Tourism Organization webpage.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Cost-share support for farmers and other businesses (plant health) for key priority areas including economic development, environmental stewardship and protection and assurance
Application period open until January 6, 2021 at 5 pm
For program details, how to apply and applications see the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) webpage.

Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants

For businesses required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures
To check eligibility and apply.

Ontario Small Business Support Grant

For small businesses with less than 100 employees, required to closed or significantly restrict services due to Province wide shutdown on December 26, 2020 and had a 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019.
Grant starts at $10,000 with dollar for dollar funding to a maximum $20,000. Businesses able to use the support in whatever way makes the most sense for their business.
For additional information see the user guide and to apply for funding.
Application deadline is March 31, 2021, businesses are encouraged to apply early.

Futurpreneur Canada

Financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 to launch successful businesses across Canada.
Up to $60,000 in financing (in partnership with the BDC), an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.
Collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.
For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit the Futurpreneur Canada website.

Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund (TEDRF)

Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries TEDRF application based, cost-sharing program to provide non-capital funding to innovative new tourism products, support tourism investment or build capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry
Program is open to Tourism Businesses and Not-for-Profit Organizations (with clearly defined tourism focus)
See application guide for program objectives, priorities, eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB)

December 22, 2020 - changes to program for residential and small business customers are underway, details still to be released.
Provides one-time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills.
Up to $850 in support towards electricity bill if you are a primarily using electricity for heating, or up to $425 otherwise. Could also be eligible for up to $425 towards natural gas bill
CEAP-SB is being delivery by electricity distributors, natural gas distributers and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs) in accordance with rules laid out by Ontario Energy Board
Utilities and USMPs will begin accepting applications on August 31, 2020
See Ontario Energy Board for background information and check with your provider for more details on eligibility and application.

Resilient Communities Fund

Application period is now closed.
A one-time fund to support the community-based or provincial non-profit sector delivering services and programs in Ontario looking ahead to recovery planning with the aim to rebuilding capacity.
Grant requests can range from $5,000 to $150,000.
Only one grant per eligible organization will be awarded.
For further information on eligibility, activities supported and how to apply visit Ontario Trillium Foundation web page.

Rebuild Reopen Revive Initiative

Application period is now closed.
FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, RE3 provides non-repayable, performance-based contributions of up to $5,000 to Ontario-based Women-led small and medium sized enterprises.
Eligibility is a woman or women, driving the direction of the business (minimum 51% equity stake), that is a sole proprietor or for-profit corporation. Activities include acquisition of required PPE, workspace reconfiguration to accommodate physical distancing, and hardware/software updates to enhance online capacity, client servicing, accessibility.
Eastern Ontario are being administered by Northumberland CFDC. To find out more and apply visit RE3 webpage

Digital Main Street Relief Grant: PPE Support

For small businesses with two to nine employees in the following sectors - retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, gyms and yoga studios.
One-time grant of up to $1,000 for PPE that could include - gloves, gowns, face shields, eye protection, masks, sanitizer, related signage, physical changes such as plexiglass dividers, etc.
To check eligibility, type of PPE and apply, visit the Business Support Grants webpage.

Government of Canada

Online tool for financial help during COVID-19

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

Provides emergency funding to support large Canadian enterprises facing financial challenges due to COVID-19.
Open to Canadian employers who have a significant impact on Canada’s economy, demonstrates approximately $300 million or more in annual sales and requires minimum loan of $60 million.
For information and application visit their webpage.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

Canada Emergency Rent Assistance is now closed and program is now adjusted to Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
For eligibility details see webpage.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to EI

The program is now closed
Transition from CERB to Employment Insurance (EI)
If you were receiving CERB, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive to September 27, 2020 and available until September 25, 2021.

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for eligible businesses will increase from $40,000 to $60,000
Applicants who received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the $20,000 expansion
All applicants have until March 31, 2021 to apply.
Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33 percent (up to $20,000)

For more information.

Main Financial Institutions:

EDC Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

EDC guarantees a new one-year term or operating line of credit for 80% of its value, up to $6.25M allowing businesses to deal with payroll and operating cost issues and enabling their financial institution to take on less risk. Available for all Canadian companies, including non-exporting businesses that sell domestically.
Apply now.

BDC Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium Enterprises

Provides term loans for operational and liquidity needs to businesses, which could include interest payments on existing debt. Available to businesses that were financially viable and revenue generating prior to COVID-19.
In partnership with your financial institution, businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts up to $6.25 M, 80% of which would be provided by BDC, with the remaining 20% by the financial institution.
Details are being finalized and will be available shortly from your primary financial institution.
Learn more.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - 75 % (CEWS)

Subsidy is extended until June 2021.
Maximum wage subsidy rate to 75% for period beginning December 20, 2020 until March 13, 2021 for second wave.
More flexible and targeted, allowing eligible employers to access the maximum subsidy rate based on a single month's revenue-decline.
Calculate your subsidy amount.

Employment Insurance (EI)

Government of Canada program designed to provide temporary financial support to workers who have lost their job, are sick, pregnant, caring for a newborn or adopted child, caring for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death or providing care or support to critically ill family member. If you have recently applied for EI regular or sickness benefits, do no re-apply. Your application will automatically be assessed to determine your CERB eligibility
For more information on Employment Insurance benefits and leave.

Work-Sharing Program

Government of Canada program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity. Provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporary reduced work week while their employer recovers. It’s a three-party agreement with employer, employees and Service Canada.
Maximum length of a working sharing agreement has extended from 38 weeks to 76 weeks due to COVID-19
Information on eligibility and application.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

FedDev Ontario has announced an additional $184 million in funding to southern Ontario with $30 million of the support going to Community Futures Development Corporations. The fund provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by COVID-19.

There are two funding streams, can only apply to one.

Option 1 CFDC – 1000 Islands, Grenville, Valley Heartland
- Up to a $40,000 conditionally repayable contribution (interest-free loan, 25 percent forgiveness available within specified payment timeframe.
- Details and applications from your local CFDCs:
Option 2 - FedDev Ontario (Regional Stream for larger applications)
- Funding to support SMEs impacted by COVID-19 that do not qualify for, or have been declined for, current Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.
- Expanded parameters include increases in contribution amounts and the timeframe for eligible costs.
- For more information see program guidelines

Farm Credit Canada Covid-19 Support Program

Payment deferrals and credit line program provides additional lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses and food processors.
Deferral of principal and interest payment up to 6 months or a deferral of principal payments up to 12 months for existing loan as well as access to an additional credit line of up to $500,000, secured by general security agreements.
For additional information contact your local FCC office and visit COVID-19 support program website.

Tax & WSIB Relief

WSIB Financial Relief

Allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses who report and pay monthly, quarterly or annually based on their insurable earnings are eligible for deferral.
View website for more details.

Local Resources & Reports

Business Support Working Group