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Business Survey Results
Leeds Grenville businesses showing resilience

Thank you to the 319 businesses who completed the 2021 Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Business Survey. 

The survey respondents were from a mix of industry sectors with the largest numbers coming from Retail, followed by Arts, Entertainment and Recreation. Over 90% of survey respondents were those with under 20 employees, which is representative of the size of businesses in Leeds Grenville.

In 2021, the survey shows a 1.4% increase over 2020 in the number of businesses anticipating they will be closing permanently. 

Overall, Leeds Grenville businesses are adapting with 36.5% adjusting / maintaining status quo / not affected compared to 20% last year. A positive statistic for the region is 17% of businesses are growing compared to only 5% in 2020.

The survey recognized that businesses are continuing to have challenges when it comes to an increase in product prices and supply shortages. Businesses that requested assistance and provided their contact information will be connected with in the next week, if not already. 

All 13 municipal reports along with the regional report can be found on the Leeds Grenville Economic Development reports webpage.
There are many programs and services businesses can access for help and support on the Leeds Grenville COVID-19 business webpage. Additional information can be found on our Funding Page.

Any business that didn’t complete the survey but requires assistance in navigating the various business support programs can contact Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer, at 613-342-3840 ext. 5361 or by email.
Funding Opportunities & Support
Attention Tourism Businesses

The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant is now available. It provides one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector.

The grant is designed to help small businesses specifically in the tourism and travel sector. For more information on your eligibility check the webpage and the grant user application guide before you apply.

Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

Your business may be eligible for a relief loan up to $60,000 to cover your fixed operating costs. Borrow up to $60,000, pay back $40,000 by December 31, 2022, and you keep $20,000. $0 application fees. 0% interest. $0 payments until December 31, 2022.

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Contact your local Community Futures Development Corporation for details:
 
Business Directory & Tourism Directory
Free promotion with business listing

Is your business listed, or is your business information outdated? Here's where to check.

For listings, once approved, your user name and password allows you to update your listing at any time.

If you are in the directory but need a password for access send an email to Joanne Poll. If you have forgotten your password, visit the login page and click reset.

Our business directory populates our Invest website and Tourism website, along with many of the municipal websites in the region with just one listing!

To be included in the Tourism Directory, special coding needs to be done. New tourism businesses will receive a further follow-up email asking for additional information that will assist in coding your business for tourism categories. If your business is already listed, but missing from a tourism category, please send an email.

The business directory has advanced search features to allow individuals to search the website based on sectors or NAICS codes along with tourism categories and amenities.

For additional assistance see the help guide or contact the Economic Development Office at 613-342-3840 ext. 5362.
eNewsletter
Sign up to Stay Connected

Information on business funding announcements and support programs is sent out bi-weekly in the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office eNewsletter. Each edition features a local business along with workshops and training opportunities. 

The eNewsletter is the key communication tool to keeping local businesses informed on local initiatives, opportunities for business growth and collaboration along with resources that can help businesses navigate local health and government regulations.

Businesses must individually subscribe to the eNewsletter to ensure we are compliant with regulations.
Workshops, Seminars, and Webinar Library
Business Professional Development, in many cases for FREE

Visit our workshops webpage regularly to learn about upcoming sessions on marketing, social media and digital tools along with business topics on budgeting, cashflow and human resources. Helpful webinars are shared on customer engagement, how local retailers are adjusting plus on various economic predictions. The webinar library is a great resource for those businesses who are unable to participate during scheduled sessions.

To check-out upcoming sessions visit the Workshops, Seminars & Webinar Library page.
Digital Service Squad
Counties Economic Development is continuing to provide FREE assistance to businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

For your free digital audit or assistance in creating your digital business footprint please contact Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer by email or by phone at 613-342-3840 ext. 5361.
Business Partners & Resources
Business partners throughout the region are ready to answer your questions at any time.

More information can be found on our website, you can visit specific websites below, or view the Business Support Working Group contact list..

Municipalities - Leeds Grenville has 13 dynamic municipalities within its borders:
 
MP / MPP
 
Community Futures Development Corporations
 
Small Business Enterprise Centres
 
Chambers of Commerce
 
BIAs

Employment Services

Other Business & Education Agencies
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
613-342-3840 | 1-800-770-2170 | [email protected]