ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER March 3, 2021 | Subscribe Now

The Township of Muskoka Lakes has retained The Planning Partnership to lead the development of a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the communities of Bala and Port Carling. A CIP identifies improvements for the public realm – streets, parks and other public spaces, and identifies financial incentive programs (grants and loans) and eligible works to encourage the private sector to revitalize and or develop their properties. To be completed in fall 2021, the CIP will identify community priority areas/projects in these communities, allowing the Township to better plan capital project investments. Virtual Public Workshops - Tuesday, March 9, 2021 All community members are encouraged to attend upcoming virtual public workshops for the communities of Bala and Port Carling on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The Bala workshop will take place from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. and the Port Carling workshop will take place from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register Now to join the virtual workshops.  Visit www.engagemuskokalakes.ca for further project details. We’d love to hear your thoughts on opportunities for change in the Port Carling or Bala core commercial areas – changes to streets and public spaces, opportunities for revitalization or redevelopment.

MUSKOKA LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Do you sell a product online, or want to sell a product online? ShopMuskokaLakes.ca is coming soon. To be featured on ShopMuskokaLakes.ca, you must be: a Member of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber; and/or operate within Muskoka Lakes or a local Muskoka Member of our region's Markets; or a Sponsor who wants to Support Local/Save Local while getting great exposure, too. Contact norah@muskokalakeschamber.ca to learn more about the Chamber's Support Local project.

MUSKOKA BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND The MBRF is a fund supported by FedNor though the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) and the District of Muskoka, and applies to any business established prior to March 1, 2020 that has attempted to access any Federal relief supports and was deemed ineligible. Contact: rrrf@muskokafutures.ca Deadline: March 21st, 2021 Apply Now

COVID SAFETY PROTOCAL PROGRAM Muskoka Futures is administering the Covid Safety Protocol Program (CSPP) in Muskoka. This initiative is intended to help businesses who have had to incur costs to adhere to public health and safety protocols. The Covid Safety Protocol Program will provide businesses with up to $5,000.00 in a non-repayable contribution (grant) to assist with the costs related to adapting operating protocols. Businesses established prior to March 1, 2020 with less than 500 employees are eligible to apply. Deadline: Funding is available until March 31, 2021   Learn More

IION - ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Funded by FedNor and Ontario Trillium Foundation, IION’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) is a 16-week paid placement involving experiential and educational learning for high potential participants interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. IION-EDP provides for-profit innovative companies with a competitive wage subsidy of $7,200 to apply to the participant’s wage ($12/hour for 37.5/hours/week) nurturing and building the participant’s skills while increasing the SME’s ability to innovate and commercialize. Contact: Emily Ryan, emily@iion.ca, 705-498-5584 Deadline: April 9, 2021 Learn More

ONTARIO COVID-19 RESPONSE FRAMEWORK Effective Monday, March 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. - the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit will move into Grey-Lockdown level of Ontario Government's Response Framework. Read the Ontario Newsroom release and see what Grey-Lockdown means for our area. Ontario Expands Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant: 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.   Apply Now! Ontario Small Business Support Grant: A new Ontario Small Business Support Grant was announced by the provincial government, which will provide up to $20,000 for eligible businesses. Applications are now open for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant which will provide up to $20,000 for eligible businesses. Apply Now! Business Support Resources: Ontario Small Business Support Grant Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment Financial Relief Programs Reopening Guidance Workplace PPE Supplier Directory If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT Public Signage for Printing & Displaying: STOP You must wear a face covering at this site Guide on how to develop a workplace safety plan Risk mitigation tool for workplaces/businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic Sector-specific guidelines and posters For more information or questions, please contact SMDHU: Phone - 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520). Online - SMDHU Contact Information

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, cmoore@muskokalakes.ca View Covid-19 Business Support Resources

‌ ‌	Corey Moore Communications & Economic Development Specialist Township of Muskoka Lakes 705-765-3156 cmoore@muskokalakes.ca www.muskokalakes.ca Please feel free to share this information. To subscribe Click Here.