Economic Development eNews

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COVID-19 Business Support

This week, members of the Business Support Working Group are reaching out to businesses in the region who requested to speak with someone regarding support available to them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 9 ^th , the Leeds-Grenville-Thousands Islands and Rideau Lakes Business Survey: COVID-19 Report was released.

“I would like thank the 474 businesses who took the time to complete the survey and share how the pandemic is affecting their business,” say Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager for Leeds Grenville.

The report indicated nearly 50 percent of businesses are not aware of what government programs are currently available to their business.

“The Business Support Working Group members are looking to change that awareness level,” says Ann.

“We recognize the various government financial programs can be challenging to understand as they continue to adjust, and we want to ensure our local businesses get the available support they are eligible for.”

In addition, each of the 13 municipalities in Leeds Grenville received a municipal breakdown of the regional survey report. All municipal reports are now available online .

For more information on the financial programs and resources available please visit our webpage or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5365.

Economic Development eNews | April 21, 2020

Local Business and COVID-19

Greenfield Global's Johnstown site

is a trailblazer in fighting pandemic

JOHNSTOWN - Greenfield Global Inc.'s Johnstown facility is joining the fight against COVID-19 with production of hand sanitizer-grade alcohol for cross-country distribution.

"Our Johnstown plant is the first plant in Canada to receive approval from Health Canada to produce Technical Grade alcohol. We believe we have the first such approval in North America," Plant Manager Brendan Bland said today.

The Johnstown site can make up to 710,000 litres of alcohol per day. All 52 employers are involved in helping support the initiative.

"Our focus now is quickly increasing logistical capacity. We are proud of each and every one of our Johnstown employees who continue to work around the clock to meet this essential service," Mr. Bland said.

"As we saw both the looming shortage in Canada, and around the world, our CEO, Howard Field, decided if any company in Canada could prevent a domestic shortage of the critical alcohol that goes into the hand sanitizers used by our brave front line workers fighting against the deadly COVID-19 virus 24-7, we could," he added.

"When the call from Howard went out to mobilize our Johnstown plant to be the new line of defense in this national effort, our local team quickly focused on urgently building out brand new logistics at our plant. We were ready to have tanker trucks of new Technical Grade supply hit the road once Health Canada approval was granted," said Mr. Bland.

The approval from Health Canada is for alcohol made in Johnstown from April 6 to June 30th.

Top feature photo: An aerial view of the Johnstown Greenfield Global site.

Brendan Bland, Johnstown site Plant Manager and Greenfield Global's Director of Operations for Renewable Energy.

"We expect that the surging market conditions will exist throughout the current public health emergency," he said, adding the company anticipates extensions in their approval to meet the domestic demand. The Johnstown plant will ship its product to its existing and new customers.

"Fortunately, Greenfield Global was able to share with Health Canada that the existing alcohol production at our industry-leading Johnstown plant is very close to the pre-existing standards set for alcohol in hand sanitizers," he said of how the plan was put in motion.

"After their thorough review, Health Canada determined that during the public health emergency our new supply of Technical Grade alcohol is safe for use in both healthcare settings and for consumers," he said.

Prior to the emergency, all of Johnstown's production was shipped out by trucks to its customers. To meet the different logistical needs of the unique hand sanitizer supply chain, it needed to quickly create a new specialized loading infrastructure, trucking logistics and upgraded lab testing capabilities in Johnstown. "This was an incredible accomplishment by the Greenfield team in three weeks," he said.

Greenfield Global's Chatham and Tiverton plants continue to run full speed making the alcohol necessary for uses where Technical Grade can not be substituted. The company also recently sought Health Canada approval for Technical Grade alcohol to come from it's plant in Varennes, Québec, thus doubling logistical capacity. Greenfield Global operates 15 locations around the world with state-of-the-art production and packaging facilities. It manufactures and ships more than 1,600 products worldwide.

Greenfield Global's Johnstown site is located at 141 Commerce Drive off County Road 2.

Visit the Johnstown Greenfield Global website.

What's Open in Leeds Grenville

Many businesses are continuing to provide services and have modified their businesses to accommodate the current government regulations. Check out what's open in your community.

If you are a business that is operating and wish to be listed, please email us.

Provincial Survey - Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture

The Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries is collecting information to be shared with decision makers on the specific quantitative impact this pandemic is having on this industry.

Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, has requested your input to help ensure provincially our region is heard.

Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback and ideas on the survey.

Funding Opportunities

Local agencies ready to help with Canada Ontario Job Grant Program

The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) provides opportunities for employers, individually or in groups, to invest in their workforce with help from the government. It provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer consortia who wish to purchase training for their employees. It is available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees.

Employers can get up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
Training has to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.
Employers with 100 or more employees need to contribute 1/2 of the training costs. Small employers with less than 100 employees need to contribute 1/6 of training costs.
Employer groups who want to apply for training supports the government offers a Consortium Stream. The group of employers (two or more employers) to pool their resources to support common training objectives and goals.
Most organizations acting as an intermediary are eligible for administrative funding equal to 15% of the government contribution.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Local Employment Agencies are available to assist with your applications.

Visit the Canada Ontario Job Grant webpage for more information.

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Funding

The Go vernment of Canada announced $130 million over five years (2019-2024) to deploy a network of zero-emission vehicle charging (level 2 and higher) and refuelling stations in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. Support is available for strategic projects for electric vehicle and/or hydrogen infrastructure for corporate fleets, last-mile delivery fleets, and mass transit.

This funding will be delivered through cost-sharing contribution agreements for eligible projects that will help meet the growing charging and refuelling demand.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) targets projects in multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces and for light-duty vehicle fleets only. In order to adjust to the current situation related to COVID-19, the RFP has been extended and is now open for applicants until June 11, 2020 (23:59 Eastern Time) .

Natural Resources Canada will target having funding decisions by August 2020.

Visit the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program webpage to learn about the multiple targeted infrastructure streams.

Webinars

Ahead of the Curve: Digital Marketing Tips, Tricks and Best Practices During COVID-19

A webinar series for businesses affected by COVID-19 to navigate the crisis so you are positioned to come out on the other side stronger.

WHEN: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on:

April 22. April 29 and May 6.

COST : Free

Small Business Websites 101

This session is for main street small businesses in Ontario. Building a new website, or redesigning an existing one, this beginner workshop covers everything you need to know, from choosing and registering a domain name, to building the website itself and making it secure.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m.

COST: Free

Learn more

Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals

Drive traffic to your website by making sure your business shows up on Google when customers search. This beginner workshop will teach you how to connect your business to customer searches and how to optimize your website and digital presence for Google, without costing you any money.

WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 6-7:30 p.m.

COST: Free

Learn more

NAFTA 2.0 (USMCA): How does it work and what's new?

This seminar will explain the content of this major Trade Agreement and what it means for Canadian businesses, how to benefit from it, focusing on the trade of goods and the changes contained in the new agreement. It will be of interest to companies and individuals wanting to get involved internationally, in particular importers and exporters of tangible goods. Hosted by Invest Ottawa Education Centre.

WHEN: Monday, April 27, 1-3 p.m.

COST: Free

To register