COVID-19 Business Support
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Businesses Reopening
Health and Safety business and industry guidance documents from the Leeds Grenville and Lanark Health Unit and the Province of Ontario is available on the
Counties webpage.
To ensure safety of your employees and customers, a list of
Local PPE Suppliers
has been developed and regularly updated on the Counties webpage. If you are a local business providing PPE supplies, please
send us an email
.
Regional Relief and Recovery Funding – Opens locally this week!
FedDev Ontario is delivering $213-million in funding to support SMEs impacted by COVID-19 that do not qualify for, or have been declined for, current Government of Canada COVID-19 measures. Community Futures Developing Corporations (CFDCs) will be delivering $39.4-million by providing up to $40,000 conditionally repayable loan (interest-free loan, 25% forgiveness available provided 75% of original loan amount is paid by December 31, 2022). Funding priorities will include sole proprietors and “main street” businesses, for example retail shops and restaurants.
FedDev Ontario will also offer the $40,000 loans plus up to a $500,000 unconditionally repayable contribution (interest-free loan, fully repayable). For more information visit the
FedDev webpage.
Additional Notables:
- Ontario Government Survey - Economic impacts of COVID-19, open until June 12 - Take the Survey
- Summer student Mishka Mehta has joined the Counties Economic Development team. She will be calling businesses to update your information in our business directory plus updating our Tourism webpages.
- Subscribe to the www.investleedsgrenville.com/covid19 to get the latest updates on Financial Supports, Health and Safety, News, Surveys and available resources during this pandemic. For business assistance please call 613-342-3840 ext. 5365 or email.
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Economic Development eNews | May 19, 2020
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Local Businesses and COVID-19
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1,100 face masks - and counting
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BROCKVILLE - JC Sewing Studio owner Jo Caton likes to be busy.
So when the COVID-19 outbreak brought her business to a standstill in March, the seamstress and her employee Gail Stopfel decided to use their sewing talents to make a few dozen cloth face masks.
"This was a way to keep busy while giving back to our community," says Jo, not realizing how many orders were about to, and continue to, come pouring in.
Just three hours after posting a cloth sample on
Facebook
, they had orders for 368 masks. Today, six weeks later, they have orders totaling 1,100 with demand continuing to grow.
"I had no idea it would be this big," says Jo. "We're making as many as we can so we will have overstock moving forward. I don't see the need declining."
People have told Jo they've sent her masks as far away as Nova Scotia, Alberta and to places across Ontario. Area veterinarian offices, chiropractic clinic staff, Personal Support Workers, front line retail and truckers among some of the people using them. JC Sewing Studio sews both adult and children's sizes.
"Some customers have also "paid it forward" by paying even more so if we get a customer who can't pay, it is already covered," says Jo. They sell the masks at cost for $5. Jo and Gail are volunteering their time to sew them. Some people have donated fabric and elastic to the cause.
"Although we didn't know it would be this successful, it is a way for us to stay current and supportive. We're so happy when more supplies arrive so we can keep making them. I'm hoping our name is now out there and when this is over, people will know who we are," says Jo.
JC Sewing Studio cloth face masks are not medical grade but they can be altered to add coffee filters. They are washable and reusable.
Jo started her Brockville business in 2016. She has been sewing 34 years. She got her start in Ottawa and later had businesses in Brockville and Gananoque before returning to her current Brockville location.
JC Sewing Studio services include custom sewing, alterations, zipper, clothing and upholstery repair, hemming and specialty embroidery, including personalized embroidered stuffed animals.
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Top feature photo: JC Sewing Studio owner Jo Caton in her home business with an array of her face masks. Below: Employee Gail Stopfel makes masks from home since the pandemic began.
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Agri-Food Open for E-Business Initiative - Targeted Intake
This initiative is to help agriculture, agri-food and agri-products businesses / organizations such as farmers, processors, farmers' markets, on-farm markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agricultural products.
This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
- Stream 1: Bring Your Business Online: Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
- Stream 2: Develop Online Business Opportunities: Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact online e-business opportunities on a larger scale.
Learn more from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
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OMAFRA webpage
.
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Addressing Agri-Food Labour Supply and Training Challenges - Funding
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1-million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation's supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this program will help primary agriculture, food processing companies and grocery retail to implement new enhanced or expanded activities for attracting, training and retaining labour important to keeping the essential food supply chain functioning.
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Minister Lisa MacLeod hosting Multi-Sector Tele-Townhall
Join the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Ontario's Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, for the 5th ongoing tele-townhall regarding the government's response to COVID-19. The session is moderated by Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
This call will be a dial-out call. You must provide a number you can be reached at in your registration to be able to join the call.
Registration closes TODAY at 8 p.m. so please register quickly to avoid disappointment.
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"Backyard Tourism" Part of a Digital Shift Virtual Workshop Series for the Tourism Sector
The virtual workshops are aimed at creating sustainable digital adoption for hard-hit tourism and direct-to-consumer businesses in Ontario planning for COVID-19 recovery.
Each monthly one-hour workshop will include a special “Shift Expert” conversation in addition to a mix of tangible tools and templates for take-away learning.
WHEN:
First session
TODAY
3-4 p.m.
COST:
Free
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One hour with an Expert Zoom Webinar Series
If we continue to communicate with each other and help solve problems, your chances of success are greater than staying silent and feeling alone. Presented by the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre.
May 20:
Robert Walker CPA - Finances in a Nutshell and a Q&A
May 27
: Karen McDonald-Hurley, Business Consultant - Topic TBA
WHEN:
11 a.m. to 12 noon.
COST:
Free
Meeting ID: 917 5039 4176
Password: 696247
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Lawyer Todd Storms: COVID-19 and Your Business
Templeman LLP Partner Todd Storms will discuss COVID-19 developments via video conference relating to COVID-19 and your business, including issues to consider for employers continuing to operate or bringing back laid-off personnel, information regarding government assistance programs and the province's updated list of "essential workplaces."
WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 9:30 a.m.
COST: Free
To register
Email Jan Murray at the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce. Once you have registered, you will receive a link and password with your confirmation.
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Business Safety Insights: during COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 has created unique challenges for workplaces. Public health issues have changed the way that business must be done, while highlighting new challenges to protect the health and safety of workers and customers. Join this live webinar for informative discussion and tips on how your business can prepare to get back to work safely. Presented by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services; offered by Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre.
WHEN: Friday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
COST: Free
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Planning for Recovery: How to Restart your business in the wake of COVID-19
This live webinar will feature speakers from the Business Development Bank of Canada: Pierre Cléroux, Vice-President Research and Chief Economist; Senior Business Advisors Alka Sood and Edward Ferguson.
What will recovery look like for Canadian businesses? Discover what various business sectors can expect as well as the steps entrepreneurs need to take to successfully jump-start their operations. The Canadian economy is gradually reopening after a shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will need to plan how your business will restart, adapting your operations to meet demand, ensuring your supply chains and managing your financial circumstances. You will also need to put best practices in place to ensure the safety of your employees as they return to work.
WHEN:
Friday, May 22, 12 p.m. (please join 10 minutes early)
COST:
Free. The link will be emailed to you the day before the event.
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Pandemic Proofing Your Business: Personal Planning and Group Benefits
The next webinar for North Grenville Business owners will feature O'Farrell Financial Services Inc. experts who will focus on how to help yourself, your business and your employees. Daren Givoque will discuss how to stay on top of your business and personal financial goals amidst the pandemic. David Murray will discuss how to access and capitalize on group benefits to support your employees.
WHEN: Monday, May 25, 10 a.m.
COST: Free
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Ontario Tourism Insights - Virtual session with TIAC Town Hall, AGMs for RTO9, TIAO
Join virtually for TIAO's AGM, RTO9's AGM, and a highlight reel of Visit Kingston's Initiatives followed by a TIAC Town Hall. The Tourism Town Hall series is an event partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada and local host partners. The virtual Town Halls provide an opportunity to engage small and medium-sized business owner operators across Canada to share information, government policy work and available COVID-19 recovery tools with stakeholders.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please
email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the June 2nd edition should be received by Monday, May 25th.
- Submissions for the June 16th edition should be received by by Monday, June 8th.
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United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Shelbi Mcfarlane
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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