Durham Tourism Industry Report
January 2022
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COVID-19 Resources for Durham Businesses |
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The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) continues to advocate for Durham Region businesses and provide ongoing updates to the COVID-19 Response website.
At this portal you can find resources, funding, and contact the DETF for support.
One example is a link to the federal government's Business Benefits Finder. In two minutes, you can receive a tailored list of government programs and services for your business, including COVID-19 supports, by answering a few questions here.
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New COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund Grant |
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On January 7, the Province of Ontario announced a new Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are required to close under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. The program will provide a $10,000 grant to eligible businesses.
Eligible small businesses include:
- Restaurants and bars
- Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
- Performing arts and cinemas;
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
- Meeting or event spaces
- Tour and guide services
- Conference centres and convention centres
- Driving instruction for individuals
- Before- and after- school programs.
Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and that are subject to closure under modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Qualifying small businesses can expect the grant payment in February.
Electricity-Rate Relief
The Ontario government is also providing electricity-rate relief for 21-days starting on January 18 at 12:01 a.m.
Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
Online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with a rebate. Eligible businesses will receive payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures.
The provincial government is also providing up to $7.5 billion in cash flow relief through a six-month interest- and penalty-free period, beginning January 1 for businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.
On January 10, the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod, and the Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy, hosted a technical briefing to discuss new relief measures for businesses. Presentation materials are available here.
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Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program |
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As a business, charity, or non-profit in Canada who has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a wage subsidy, a rent subsidy, or both through the Government of Canada's Tourism Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
You may qualify if you are either:
- part of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors
- affected by a qualifying public health restriction
On January 5, the federal government advised that recent applicants for the THRP may have been affected by an error in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support, which erroneously showed they were ineligible for the THRP when they may have been eligible. To find out if you may have been affected by this error, review details here.
Qualifying businesses and organizations must have a 12-month average revenue drop between March 2020 and February 2021 of at least 40 per cent, and a claim-period revenue drop of at least 40 per cent.
From December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022, businesses with a current-month revenue loss of at least 25 per cent, and who are affected by a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more, are eligible to apply for THRP wage and rent subsidies. Check if you qualify here.
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Reconnect Ontario 2022
The Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries has announced the launch of the Reconnect Ontario 2022 program for eligible festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Festival and event organizers continue to adopt innovative approaches to delivering programming that engages people across the province. The Reconnect Ontario program supports festivals and events that have a tourism economic impact, and motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and generate increased tourism spending.
Information about how to apply to the program is available here.
Regional Advisors are available to assist with questions about the application process.
For additional resources to help with the application process, please visit the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries’ Grants and Awards page.
The deadline to apply for the Reconnect Ontario 2022 program is February 2 at 5 p.m. (EST).
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Business Profile: Jimmy Guaco's
Since 2010, Durham's own Jimmy Guaco's has been offering up their Mexican-inspired menu (think fresh homemade guacamole and signature burrito sauces like the popular "Jimmy G" jalapeno sauce!), at locations in Oshawa and Whitby.
Recently featured in blogto.com, they now have three Durham locations and one in Peterborough, and they opened their first location in Toronto in December 2021. In 2021 they launched their franchise offering through a brand development agreement with Franchise Starters Group Inc. A fifth Durham location and more locations outside the GTA are coming soon!
Congratulations to Chief Executive Officer and founder, Annette Zupanic, and the team at Jimmy Guaco's on their continued success.
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Downtowns of Durham Stories
Are you a downtown business ready for the spotlight? If so, you might be featured in an upcoming Downtowns of Durham story.
Earlier this month, we shone the spotlight on Michael's Eatery in downtown Ajax.
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Durham Region Workforce Survey 2021
The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) in collaboration with the Social Research Centre (SRC) at Ontario Tech University is conducting research on employment labour trends in Durham Region. The DWA is funded through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (LTSD) and aims to improve the availability of local labour market information in Durham Region.
The Workforce Survey will be utilized to fill significant gaps in labour market information to better understand the skills and needs Durham Region's workforce. The results of this survey will be used to augment data collected from the 2021 Employer Survey, providing a fulsome picture of labour force supply and demand in the Region.
You are invited to participate in this survey if you are a resident of Durham Region who is in, or out, of the workforce. The DWA and partners want to hear your thoughts on the nature of Durham Region's workforce. Your contribution to this process is extremely important and highly valued. The survey data will be anonymized and will not be linked back to you in any way. It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Matthew Stein, Director of the Social Research Centre, by e-mail at Matthew.Stein@ontariotechu.ca or via phone at (905) 721-3092. |
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Want to Support Local?
Skip the Delivery Apps and Order Direct
From the February 2021 archives, but still relevant, is the importance of supporting local businesses through restrictions in their services. Read on to learn how ordering direct can help support your favourite foodie destinations.
By: Katherine Ryalen
Shop local. Support local. These calls to action are resonating with the public more than ever during this time when the economic survival of our communities, as we know them, depends on all of us. It is unfortunate (though not surprising) that restaurants and dining establishments are so significantly impacted by COVID-19. Many restaurants in our Downtowns of Durham rely not only on exceptional food and customer service, but also on their charming or convenient locations. In the interest of public health and safety, however, many of our downtown restaurants have had to shut down their dine-in operations for the time being.
At least there is delivery and takeout, right? Several establishments that have managed to stay open have experienced a significant influx of takeout and delivery orders placed through popular delivery apps. It appears that Durham residents are rallying en masse to support their local eateries, which is excellent.
But… is it?
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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism. |
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