Wasaga Beach Economic Development Newsletter - June 1st, 2021
Information, News & Resources
Economic Development Office
What Is In this Issue?
  • Support Local Coupon Book
  • Wasaga-licious!
  • Support Local Parking Ticket Program
  • #Pledge to Support Local
  • Open Patios 2021 Program
  • Plus more resources and news!

Calling all businesses: Be apart of our
SUPPORT LOCAL COUPON BOOK

Promote your business in our upcoming Coupon Book. We want you to be a part of it!

  • The book will feature business deals and discounts.
  • Plus helpful shop local information.
  • Distributed to 10,000 homes in Wasaga Beach this September.
  • Digital version will be available on wasagabeach.com.
  • Coupon spaces are only $75 each.

The Support Local Coupon Book mitigates some of the financial impacts that local businesses are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging residents to support local and by providing an advertising platform to local businesses at a reduced cost.

Businesses can purchase advertisement space within the coupon book at a reduced cost to promote a special deal for customers. The coupon book will be circulated in September to encourage residents to continue their support of local businesses going into the fall.

Consider your special offer and then fill our application form! For more information visit our website or contact eamc@wasagabeach.com.

Wasaga-licious! Starts June 18th

We're looking forward to launching Wasaga-Licious! This #supportlocal campaign will encourage the greater community to make purchases from participating businesses for their chance to win weekly prizes as well as to qualify for the ultimate Grand Prize. For more information visit wasagalicious.com.

Over 65 business in Wasaga Beach have registered! Haven't registered your business yet? We're still accepting last minute registrations for a limited time. Interested in participating? Contact events@wasagabeach.com or visit wasagalicious.com to register.


Support Local Parking Ticket Program

The Town of Wasaga Beach continues to encourage residents to support local businesses through creative ways. Until June 30th, take advantage of our Support Local Parking Ticket Program. For a limited time residents who receive a parking ticket from the Town can have the ticket cancelled if they provide proof of purchase from a Wasaga Beach business in an amount equal to or greater than the set fine, within five days after receiving the ticket.





#Pledge to Support Local

Spend your money where it matters the most. By supporting your local businesses you support your community.

Your dollars stay in the community and help local jobs, development, community culture and create more walkable and livable neighbourhoods. The pandemic has hit us all deeply and the effects continue to rattle our business community.

Open Patios 2021 Program

Calling all restaurants! Have you applied for the 2021 Open Patio Program yet? Get ready for when it's safe to re-open for in-person dining. The Open Patios 2021 Program has launched and is now accepting applications for temporary patios.

South Georgian Bay Tourism Offers FREE Business Membership for Wasaga Beach Tourism Businesses
Have you registered for your FREE membership yet? The Town of Wasaga Beach has partnered with SGBT and the South Georgian Bay municipalities to offer complimentary business memberships for the entire South Georgian Bay tourism industry in 2021.

Register your tourism business to take advantage of this free unique marketing opportunity. This is your chance to be part of the South Georgian Bay Tourism Association. Register for free today using the following link.

Business & Economic News Highlights

Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant

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

Businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG) are not eligible for the new grant. The OSBSG was designed to help businesses that were required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020. The Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant is designed to help small businesses in the tourism and travel sector. Eligible small businesses can apply for support to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19 as well as to help create and protect jobs.

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

Ask An Expert: COVID-19 Impacts on Women in Business
by County of Simcoe Economic Development Office

"The past 12 months have seen a series of events that have permanently impacted both the nature of the workplace and women’s opportunities within it. Many of the hardest hit sectors where many women work – like retail, travel, hospitality – haven’t fully recovered. They bore the brunt of job losses. Working practices have become more flexible, new leadership traits are coming to the fore, and the need for a diverse workforce and inclusive culture has never been more apparent. In these extraordinary times, agile, forward looking businesses will recognize this moment of change as a chance to evolve and thrive.

It’s now time to continue the progress and widen the door of diversity even further."


Chamber of Commerce AGM and Virtual Business Expo
by Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce AGM and Virtual Business Expo! Join the Chamber on June 15th at 5:30pm for an interactive event to support local business recovery. All businesses are welcome to attend. The AGM will be followed by the Expo which will include networking, workshops and interactive break-out rooms!

Booster Shots - Networking Event for Entrepreneurs
by Small Business Enterprise Center

Craving connection? Looking to chat and brainstorm with other entrepreneurs? The Small Business Enterprise Centre's Booster Shots might just be the antidote.

Join the SBEC and Host and Facilitator Extraordinaire Sandra Kahale on Thursday June 10 from 12 - 1:30pm for their Booster Shot event. Booster Shots are fun, friendly, productive online networking events for growth-minded entrepreneurs and business owners at all stages.


Safe Travels Stamp Administered By TIAO

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.



Town of Wasaga Beach
BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR
Looking for upcoming business events to participate in? Visit the Wasaga Beach Business Events Calendar. A helpful resource for both owners and staff at your organization! Find upcoming conferences, networking events, workshop and courses from resources like the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative, South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Center and the Barrie Small Business Centre.
Town of Wasaga Beach
BUSINESS RECOVERY PORTAL
Since the beginning of COVID-19, the Town of Wasaga Beach has been making every effort to support you and your business. As we now look towards careful re-opening and recovery, we have compiled over 150 special resources here to help your business source COVID-related information and funding.
START AND GROW A BUSINESS PAGE
Are you eager to launch a new business or expand your existing business in Wasaga Beach?

We have retail, commercial and industrial space, business supports, workshops, one-on-one counselling, and information about financial incentives to support your venture and help it thrive. On this page you will find local, regional, provincial and national resources to help you start or grow a business.

In addition to sourcing and sharing these resources for you, our Economic Development Team is always ready and available to assist you and your business. Help us to help you. We welcome and encourage you to contact us with your questions, comments or ideas - we will do our best to steer you in the best direction as you look to start, grow or support your business - for today and tomorrow.
Federal COVID-19 information line (1-833-784-4397)
Public Health Ontario (1-866-797-0000)
COVID-19 continues to be a very real challenge in our region and across the province. As such, it is imperative that you follow the advice of public health officials. Wear your mask when out in public. Wash your hands regularly. Stick to your household as much as possible.

You can learn more on the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit's COVID-10 webpage. Additional resources can be found on the Town's COVID-19 page.
*Disclaimer: The Town of Wasaga Beach is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.