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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Health and Safety

Ontario Public Health Measures per Sector

June 1 - Roadmap at a Glance - New - Before Step 1
May 20 - Roadmap to Reopen
April 3, 2021 - Emergency Brake on in Effect

Signs

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Government of Ontario

World Health Organization

Workplace Guidance - May 10

Financial Support

Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Grant

For small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
One-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 for businesses, the funds can be used in whatever way makes the most sense for the business
Business must have fewer than 100 employees on April 30, 2021 and have a revenue decline of at least 20%, see website for further details to determine your eligibility
Deadline for applications is June 25, 2021 at 11:59 pm EDT
For further program details and how to apply visit Ontario webpage

Enhanced Agri-Food Workforce Protection Plan

Established farm producing agricultural commodities or a business that provides off-farm primary packing services for primary agricultures or a business that provides corn detasselling services - must involved intensive use of labour where labour works in close proximity of one another
Eligible activities includes modifications throughout an agricultural operation, worker housing, or worker transportation system to ensure physical distancing, worker PPE and approved safety supplies, cleaning and disinfection, providing arrangement to support worker accommodation and work-site mobility
Funding is limited to $7,500 per business or $7,500 per property.
For more information visit webpage Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program and the guidelines and submission form Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program: Support for Worker Wages and Isolation Expenses

Community Building Fund - Operating Stream

Support for non-profits and Indigenous communities in the community with a significant presence in the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors that operate facilities and/or deliver experience or program in Ontario that are open to the public
Eligible expenses include salaries, innovation and web/virtual costs, equipment, rent/lease and fixed operating costs to a maximum of $250,000
Application period now open
Deadline extension until June 1, 2021 at 5pm ET
For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit Ontario Trillium Foundation webpage.
Community Building Fund - Capital Stream will be available later in 2021

Reconnect Festival and Event Program

Program supports innovative programming and marketing for festivals and events, to help create great Ontario staycation experiences for visitors and to stimulate local community economic development and recovery.
Eligible event would that take place between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022
Application period is now open through the ONe-key account. Account set-up may take up to five days, so begin the process early
Deadline for application is April 20, 2021 by 5pm ET
For information on the program, including changes to eligibility, funding priorities and program details see the application guide.

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)

Government guaranteed, low-interest loans for amounts between $25,000 and $1 million per legal entity to a maximum of $6.25 million with repayment terms of up to 10 years.
Loans intended for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decreased by 50% or more in three months, within the eight-month period prior to application as a result of COVID-19. They must also be able to show their financial institution they have previously applied for either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Applications open until June 30, 2021 with your primary lender
For more information visit BDC webpage and watch the available webinar on the program.

Tourism Adaptation Fund

Funding program is currently paused at this time, should there be any remaining funds available, program will reopen.
For Tourism-related business located within Leeds Grenville (except for Gananoque businesses who could access similar funds)
Application period is now open, applications will be evaluated weekly until funds are fully disbursed. Apply early.
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 more information and the application visit the Region 9 Regional Tourism Organization webpage.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Upcoming intake dates for all cost-sharing funding opportunities will be announced as soon as they are confirmed
Support for Honey Bee Health Management is currently accepting applications
- Cost share funding available for 50% of eligible costs for Honey Bee Health Management and Advancing Beekeeper Business Capacity
- Maximum of $3,500 per beekeeper with 10 or more colonies registered with Provincial Apiarist for the current beekeeping season

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

Applications are now closed.
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.
Need assistance on how to apply, check out the videos from the provincial government or see Terry-Ann Hare, owner of Beauty Inside successfully complete application and navigate some of the application challenges.
Confirmed eligible recipients of the Ontario Small Business Grant will automatically received a second payment equal to the first amount, see media release.

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)

January 14, 2021 – updated eligibility criteria so more customer may qualify
Program is for eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments
Customers may be eligible for up to $1,500 in support towards their electricity and natural gas bills
Customers who applied and received CEAP support prior to January 14, 2021 may apply again to be considered for the increased funding amount
For more information see Ontario Energy Board webpage for eligibility and how to apply.

Resilient Communities Fund

Application period is now open.
Deadline for submissions August 4, 2021 at 5 pm
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

Applications are now closed.
For small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in the following sectors - retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, gyms and yoga studios, arts, entertainment and recreation.
One-time grant for costs incurred since March 17, 2020 for 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)

March 3, 2021 the Government of Canada announced rent subsidy amounts to remain unchanged through to June
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

Commercial loans between $1 million and $12.5 million for Canadian businesses to address cashflow needs including regularly scheduled principal and interest payment on existing debt.
For businesses directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 and financially stable and viable to prior to the current economic situation
To learn more visit BDC webpage

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - 75% (CEWS)

Subsidy is extended until June 2021.
Maximum wage subsidy rate for period beginning December 20, 2020 until June 5, 2021
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. Program special measures have been extended until September 26, 2021
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 $60,000 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