Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Update
April 9, 2020
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A Message from the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
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You may have noticed an increase in our communication materials sent to you as a result of the uncertain COVID-19 situation we have found ourselves in. Please know that we are sorting through great volumes of new information everyday to compile the most relevant and useful material to benefit you, our members. For the time being, we will be sending twice-weekly newsletter updates, with standalone emails as we see fit.
As always, never hesitate to contact
Suzanne Renken
, CEO, or
Brittany Van Den Brink
, Policy & Communications Coordinator, or call us at 519-983-6085, with specific questions or suggestions for how we can help you during the COVID-19 crisis.
Thank you, and we wish you a happy Easter weekend!
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Positive Changes to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program, Interest-Free Loans Available beginning April 9
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Yesterday, we learned of several important changes to the wage subsidy program that will help more businesses access funding:
- A business will now be able to compare its revenue to the same month last year OR an average of January and February 2020. This will help new and growing firms who may not have qualified based on a comparison to the same month in 2019.
- A business needs only to demonstrate a 15% reduction in gross revenues for March. A 30% reduction will still be required to receive the subsidy in April and May.
- The program will now allow businesses to use either accrual or cash accounting methods.
- Employer paid Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums will be reimbursed.
- Registered charities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible employers to apply for the wage subsidy. They also have the choice of whether or not to include government funding in their revenue calculations.
- Businesses can start applying for interest-free loans on April 9. Applications are available through local financial institutions.
While these are positive changes, the Canadian Chamber and our Chamber Network continues to focus on the importance of getting funds to businesses in days, not weeks.
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The TDCC is a Proud Member of the New OCC Health Policy Council
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The Ontario Chamber of Commerce launched the
Health Policy Council
this month. The Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce is proud to have Stephanie Nevins, Clinic Manager at Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner LED Clinic and Advocacy Committee Member, as part of the council!
The
Health Policy Council is composed of a diverse cross-section of our members who come together to exchange ideas, inform OCC priorities, and provide government with timely recommendations. Although the Council was in development prior to the COVID-19 crisis, now more than ever, the participating members’ direction will be critical to support the health care system today and lead recovery tomorrow.
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A Message from Our Member, Indigo Lounge
ONLINE CLASSES
Indigo Lounge
is offering several meditation and yoga classes online. They are free or by donation. We understand that many have been financially challenged while others are still status quo. We are accepting donations for the full class amount or any amount for those with means, as your financial support will ensure that the doors of our wellness centre remain open during this difficult time. Here is the link to those classes:
https://www.facebook.com/indigolounge1111
.
ORGANIC EATERY
Our organic Eatery is offering “no-touch takeout” as an option. You can call your order to 519-688-1188, you can pay over the phone with a credit card, then you just pull up to our building, stay in your car and we will put in your back seat or in your trunk. We also do tap and debit in house and we want to ensure our customers know we disinfect every surface (debit machine, door handles, counters) between each customer. Your business and support are appreciated. Our full menu can be accessed here:
www.indigolounge.ca/restaurant
.
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A Message from Rogers to All Members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Rogers understands the impact COVID-19 is having on your daily business operations. During this unprecedented time, Rogers has partnered with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to ensure that its business members and the business members of provincial and local chambers of commerce and boards of trade save money and remain productive as workplace environments continue to change. Rogers has developed several offers for businesses to help enable greater collaboration amongst their teams.
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Local Updates
To help you stay up to date on how COVID-19 is impacting our community, Mayor Molnar is posting an updated news bulletin each business day.
Read the latest updates
here
.
Mayor Molnar gave another update via Facebook Live on April 8 regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tillsonburg.
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Applications are being accepted for a
NEW Emergency Micro-loan program
has been developed by Community Futures Oxford (CF Oxford) with input from the Mayor’s Working Group, which is comprised of representatives from the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Improvement Association.
This Emergency Funding program has been approved by CF Oxford’s board of directors in response to the business interruption currently being experienced by small businesses in our community. The micro-loan can be used to cover rent or lease payments as well as other monthly requirements.
Applications are being accepted immediately!
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Join the OCC on
Tuesday, April 14 from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm
for a discussion on understanding and accessing the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) and capital loans during COVID-19.
- On March 13, 2020, the Government announced the BCAP to help Canadian businesses obtain financing during the current period of significant uncertainty. The BCAP will support access to financing for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions. Learn more.
- During this event you will get to hear from three experts from some of Canada’s top institutions: Meridian, MNP and RBC, as they share the most up-to-date information on accessing the BCAP programs and capital loans.
- Featured panelists:
- Don Ludlow, Regional Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC
- Jason Teal, Vice President, Business Banking, Meridian
- Dan Porter, Senior Vice President and Director Corporate Finance, MNP
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