A Message from Sally Litchfield, General Manager: |
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Hello everyone!
I hope you are staying safe and well and that you were able to enjoy the long weekend. As we are all aware, last week the Provincial Government announced that as of Tuesday, our local public health unit is in the Red - Control zone of the province's COVID-19 Response Framework. Many local businesses are in the process of, or have already re-opened their doors with the appropriate measures in place.
To see what these measures are across the different sectors, and to understand what this means for your business, or for other local businesses, take a look at the framework here. We encourage you to support local where and when you can, and to continue to follow the guidance of our local public health unit.
We were very excited to launch the Shop Local Centre Wellington Coupon Book two weeks ago. The publication will reach over 12,500 households and businesses on or around March 25, and will be FREE for businesses to participate in. Coupon and ad submissions were due earlier this week, but the submission form will remain open while we work on pulling together the information to go to the design team. If you haven't yet participated and want to, please check out the details here and submit your info ASAP.
Lastly, a reminder that nominations for the 2021 Awards of Excellence are open until March 7! Please have a look at the categories, and consider nominating or self-nominating a deserving individual, business, organization, or group. Our committee has worked hard to create a plan for the 2021 gala-substitute, which will be a week-long celebration starting on June 14. We are in the process of confirming sponsors and will look to share all of the event plans with you all in the coming weeks! In the meantime, please consider submitting nominations!
Stay safe everyone, and we look forward to connecting soon!
Sally
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Government & COVID19 Related Updates |
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Ontario Expands Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant
Helping Small Businesses Access PPE as Province Returns to Framework
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) to cautiously and gradually reopen in parts of the province. Small businesses with 2 to 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 expansion is being made as more parts of the province enter the strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework, which allows for the gradual and safe reopening of in-store shopping at non-essential retail stores. Read more here
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New Takeout Food Map for Wellington County
An online map has been created, featuring restaurants and food businesses in Wellington County that offer takeout food during the provincewide shutdown. Discover which restaurants are near you or choose by type of food, mealtime or category. Explore the Takeout Food in Wellington County Map at www.wellington.ca/takeout.
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Community Improvement Programme (CIP)
What are your plans for 2021? If you are a landowner with commercial, industrial, or agricultural property in the County, you may be eligible for design and construction grants through Wellington County’s Invest Well Community Improvement Programme. The County works with local municipalities to promote economic growth and business expansion. Contact your municipality to apply for local and County grants. Learn more here.
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SWIFT Broadband Project Now Providing Improved Internet Access in Wellington County
On January 28 SWIFT announced the construction of a $2.7 million high-speed network in Wellington County is now complete and is delivering improved broadband access to more than 670 households. A total of $1.8 million in federal and provincial funding was awarded by SWIFT to support EH!tel Networks in the development of new broadband infrastructure in the communities of Ariss, Ponsonby and Inverhaugh. Read the full release here
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Ontario Improves Commodity Loan Guarantee Program
Changes will help farmers better manage their businesses, reduce paperwork and save money
The Government of Ontario is making improvements to the Commodity Loan Guarantee Program to extend repayment deadlines, increase lending capacity and provide farmers with greater flexibility to purchase essential crop growing supplies, such as seed and fertilizer. Read more here
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The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph regional vaccination clinic plan has been announced.
The program is ready to execute as soon as additional vaccine doses become available. This vaccination program is committed to vaccinating at least 75% of the population aged 16 years and over against COVID-19 by early August 2021. Read the full news post here
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Road Master Action Plan
The County of Wellington is undertaking a Road Master Action Plan (RMAP) as part of a transportation master plan to provide the County with future planning direction. This study is being conducted to complete Phase 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process that provides a decision-making framework. As part of the public consultation requirements, Wellington County is contacting various stakeholders, agencies, local and neighbouring municipalities, and other interested parties. The attached notice provides further details on the study, project website and contact details.
The project is scheduled to be complete by Fall 2021. The County has retained Dillon Consulting Limited to support the development of the RMAP.
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Writing the Story of Water in Centre Wellington
As of December 8, 2020, with Bill 213, the Province enacted new municipal veto legislation for water bottlers.
The legislation says that NO big water bottler can come to any community in Ontario to take a huge amount of water for bottling, EVER, if the municipality says no. Our community, with its marches, videos, social media presence, signs, blue ribbons, letters, research and public meetings positioned Centre Wellington as the line in the sand against water bottlers. Read more here
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CW moved to Red-Control category, and the CW Community Sportsplex to become a Public Health-led vaccination hub
The Township, along with neighbouring communities in Wellington County, has returned to the red-control level of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.
“I know this has been an extremely difficult time for our residents, families and businesses” said Mayor Kelly Linton. “Throughout this pandemic, we have continued to make decisions and take actions that have been consistent with the advice of our health professionals. And it worked! The spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths has dropped dramatically because most of us acted responsibly and followed the guidelines of Dr. Mercer and her Public Health team. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel. I am thrilled that our CW Community Sportsplex has become a public health vaccination hub for our community and neighbouring municipalities. Our staff have worked around the clock to provide a safe central location for this important initiative. Vaccinations are key to ending this pandemic.” Click here for details on the re-opening of the Township’s programs and services.
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Are you compliant with workplace screening regulations?
On Sept. 25, pre-entry COVID screening of all workers and “essential visitors” became mandatory for all businesses in Ontario — effective immediately — regardless of sector.
The Get Ready Daily Screening Tool™ is one option that has been presented to Ontario Chambers of Commerce. CWCC members receive a discount on this tool. Please email us for more information!
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C-Screener is a Covid-19 Workplace Screening application for mobile phones that will enable companies to comply with the Ontario Ministry of Health issued Workplace Screening guidelines requiring businesses to screen employees and visitors for COVID-19 before allowing entry into the workplace and keep the screening records.
Ositech developed this application for company use, but they are offering it at no cost to any business that can benefit from it as their contribution to help businesses in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic.
The C-Screener mobile application has the following benefits:
- Easy to use
- Time-efficient; employees/visitors do not have to line up to fill or handover a checklist at the office/factory entry.
- The checklists are stored as emails that can be easily retrieved in case employees have to be informed of potential exposure to COVID-19
- Best of all; It is completely free. There is no catch and there are no charges at all for this application.
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Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
400 Tower St. S., Fergus | 519.843.5140| www.cwchamber.ca
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