Wasaga Beach Economic Development Newsletter - March 26th, 2021
Information, News & Resources
Economic Development Office
What Is In this Issue?
  • Ontario Small Business Support grant - Closing Soon!
  • Canada Emergency Business Account - Deadline Extended
  • Ontario's Action Plan
  • Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE support
  • Coming Soon: Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant
  • Ask an Expert: Selling at Local Farmers' Markets
  • Plus more resources and news!
Business & Economic News Highlights
Ontario's Small Business Support Grant
DEADLINE APPROACHING: Closing on March 31st 2021

Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides businesses with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Province-wide Shutdown.

This application can take as little as 15 minutes to complete.

In addition, on March 24, the government announced a second round of support through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Small businesses who have been determined as eligible recipients for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will automatically be entitled to a second payment in an amount equal to the first payment they receive. They will not need to apply again to receive this additional funding.

With this additional round of support, eligible businesses can expect minimum total support of $20,000, up to a maximum of $40,000, over the two Ontario Small Business Support Grant payments. To be eligible, a business must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20% when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. New businesses established since April 2019 are also eligible provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Businesses will be able to use the support in whatever way makes the most sense for them. For example, some businesses could use the support to pay employee wages, while others may need support maintaining their inventory.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) - Application Period Has Been Extended.

Applicants now have until June 30, 2021 to apply for a $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion at their financial institution. This $73 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.

Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33 percent (up to $20,000).
Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy


On March 24th, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board Peter Bethlenfalvy released Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy. The 2021 Budget is the next phase of Ontario's response to COVID-19 and is the second Budget the government has delivered during the pandemic.

The 2021 Budget builds on the government's record investments in response to the global pandemic, bringing total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people's health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario's COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.
Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE support

The Ontario government is expanded 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 - including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for up to $1,000 in financial support.

This one-time grant reimburses main street businesses for up to $1,000 in PPE costs incurred since March 17, 2020
Coming soon:
Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant

The government is introducing the new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant, which will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Examples of eligible businesses include:

  • Hotels, Motels, Travel agencies, Amusement and water parks, Hunting and fishing camps, Recreational and vacation camps (for example, children’s overnight summer camps)

Application details, including a full list of eligible businesses, will be available soon.

Note: Any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this new grant.
Ask an Expert: Selling at Local Farmers' Markets
April 1st 1:30pm to 3:00pm

As the warmer weather approaches, local farmers and artisans are preparing their products for their local farmers' markets. The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to rage on with new variant strains, raising several questions about how to sell local product safely this summer. This session will help local sellers understand required safety protocols and practices to follow at farmers' markets in 2021.

Join representatives from Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit as they discuss everything you need to know to sell at local farmers' markets this season. The session will be held on April 1, 2021 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
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’.

Façade Improvement Program 2021
The Façade Improvement Program is a FREE municipal Grant Program Package that assists property owners looking to revitalize and/or restore the frontage of their existing commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings in town. Projects can include side and rear facing facades that have high public visibility.

The program will provide a grant up to 50% of the eligible costs up to $2,000 per project.

The following are eligible building façade projects that deal in the rehabilitation, restoration and improvement of existing commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings.
  • Repair or restoration of masonry, brickwork, or wood;
  • Repair, replacement or restoration of exterior architectural features;
  • Repair or replacement of windows or doors;
  • Re-painting, cleaning, or re-facing of façades;
  • Improvements to the appearance or access to entrances of commercial units (including hard landscaping improvements such as fencing and stonework);
  • Installation of appropriate new signage or improvements to existing signage;
  • Installation of appropriate new canopies and awnings or improvements to existing canopies and awnings; and
  • Installation of appropriate new exterior lighting or improvements to existing exteriors.

For more information please view the Façade Improvement Grant Webpage or contact Economic Development staff.

For more information please contact:

Kaitlyn Monsma
Economic Development Officer
edo2@wasagabeach.com
(705) 429-3847 ext. 2284
Wasaga Beach Businesses that can’t fully operate due to pandemic
can defer annual licensing payment

Town council has approved a deadline extension for fees for some businesses renewing their licences to operate in town as part of its support for the business community. The extension applies to those businesses that cannot fully operate due to provincial restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the business is able to fully open, operators are expected to take steps to pay their licence fee through the town.
South Georgian Bay Tourism Offers FREE Business Membership for Wasaga Beach Tourism Businesses
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.