ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
January 10, 2022 | Subscribe Now
ANNUAL BUSINESS SURVEY (2021 Year-End)
The Township of Muskoka Lakes has launched the Annual Business Survey (2021 Year-End) to connect with the local business community and gain valuable insights about the business climate.

The Township invites all local businesses to take the Muskoka Lakes Business Survey. We are collecting feedback from the business community in Muskoka Lakes to help guide the implementation of the Township's Economic Development Strategy and to assess the impacts of COVID-19. This data will be used to create benchmarks for the business climate in Muskoka Lakes and provide insight into the challenges and opportunities experienced by local businesses in order to plan for economic recovery.

This short survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and will be available online until February 9, 2022.
ONTARIO TEMPORARILY MOVING TO MODIFIED STEP TWO OF THE ROADMAP TO REOPEN
The province has returned to the modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. for at least 21 days (until January 26, 2022), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.

BUSINESS SUPPORTS

The Ontario government is providing targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by the current public health measures aimed at blunting the spread of the Omicron variant. 

Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant
Available for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000. Application portal to open in the coming weeks.


Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures.

Applications opening January 18, 2022.
WELCOME TO MUSKOKA LAKES!
PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint - Port Carling
Congratulations and welcome to Muskoka Lakes PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint!
PIE is now located at 114 Medora Street in Port Carling and is open year round Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Order a pizza today -> 705-765-1518!

Help us connect with new businesses in Muskoka Lakes! Learn more about the Business Welcome Program and how the Township can help get the word out that they are now open.
WINTER FUN MUSKOKA LAKES
Enjoy the great outdoors this winter in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Being physically active while following public health advice and restrictions is important for our health.

The Township is providing outdoor activities at local parks and trails for residents to use this winter season. View a full list of winter activities at: www.muskokalakes.ca/winterfun

We encourage you to use the hashtag #MuskokaLakesWinterFun and #EmbracetheChill to help spread the word about recreation opportunities for winter 2021!
2022 TEMPORARY PATIO EXPANSION PROGRAM
To support the business community, Council approved extending the Temporary Patio Extension Program through 2022, including delegating authority to staff to process applications to expand restaurant patio seating. The application process will allow business owners to request use of a portion of private property/designated parking spaces for a patio or café as an extension of an existing restaurant, café, take-out restaurant, pub or tavern.
CANADA SUMMER JOBS
Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.

The program provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years. Funded employers are not restricted to hiring students — all youth aged 15 to 30 years may be eligible participants.

Deadline is January 25, 2021.

More Information: Click Here
Launch & Prosper: Getting Your Small Business Off The...

The Muskoka Small Business Centre is proud to partner with Launch & Prosper for a 3-part workshop series dedicated to helping local Muskoka businesses get back to basics and rethink their business...

Read more
muskokasmallbusiness.ca
RECONNECT ONTARIO 2022 GRANT PROGRAM
Reconnect Ontario supports festivals and events that have a tourism economic impact and motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and increase tourism spending. 
Found It In Muskoka

Shopping local is critically important. For every $100 spent locally, it is estimated that $70 is spent in the community again, at another local store or business. WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW SO MUCH CAN BE FOUND IN MUSKOKA: IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE!

Read more
shopmuskokalakes.ca
OPERATING YOUR BUSINESS SAFELY - SMDHU

The province's Stop the Spread Business Information Line is available at 1-888-444-3659 to answer questions from businesses regarding COVID-19 emergency measures.

For more information or questions, please contact SMDHU:
Phone - 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520).
COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT RESOURCES
The Township continues to update business support programs and resources on our website as they are announced. Need help navigating the various programs and resources available?

Contact: Corey Moore, Communications & Economic Development Specialist, [email protected]

Corey Moore
Communications & Economic Development Specialist
Township of Muskoka Lakes
705-765-3156
www.muskokalakes.ca

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