Economic Development and Tourism News
Georgina prepares to reopen
Based on the province-wide vaccination rate and continuing improvements in key public health and health system indicators, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, will move the province into Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021.

Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen includes but is not limited to:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people
  • Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
  • Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
  • Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households
  • Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions
  • Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals
  • Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcast concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions
  • Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators
  • Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity and other restrictions
Patio Program enables dining establishments to welcome customers again
Eight Georgina restaurants applied for the Town's Temporary Patio Program and are ready to once again welcome customers outside. The program was established in 2020 to help support local businesses to install new or expand existing patios.
Do you need entrepreneurial and digital skills to pivot your existing business or create a new venture?
Register for the Business Bounce Back information session
Join the Town of Georgina, Town of East Gwillimbury and York University’s YSpace team on June 17 at 2 p.m. to learn all about the new Business Bounce Back program!

This information session will provide you with more details about YSpace, program benefits to entrepreneurs and existing businesses, requirement criteria for potential applicants, and program timelines.

This new three-month program is designed to support businesses and individuals who are, primarily but not exclusively, within the hospitality and tourism sector and require the entrepreneurial and digital skills needed to pivot their existing business or create a new venture. The program will provide founders with the tools, skills, and connections they need to scale and thrive in the industry.

Find more information about the Business Bounce Back program at georgina.ca/BusinessBounceBack.
Taste of Georgina is back!
Deadline to apply: July 30, 2021
Georgina's food establishments are invited to apply to participate in the Town's summer edition of Taste of Georgina (three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus) that will run between Sept. 10 and Sept. 26.

The first Taste of Georgina takeout event was launched earlier this year in February, giving local restaurants support during the pandemic when indoor dining was not allowed. The 10 participating businesses throughout Georgina reported more than 28K in revenue overall and many new customers.

Taste of Georgina is part of Grown in Georgina, a multi-event project supported by the Greenbelt Foundation and in partnership with Central Counties Tourism.
Local Spotlight
Georgina tourism business shares the impact of tourism
Antiques on 48
Antiques on 48 in Baldwin, a small hamlet of Georgina, attracts cottagers, local residents, visitors destined for Sibbald Point Provincial Park and others visiting or passing through the area year-round. In the summer, approximately 80 per cent of its business comes from tourists, as it is often a planned stop for people coming to and from their destinations. 

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the business. What it usually did in one weekend, it did in two months with curbside pickup. 

“Tourism has a huge impact on our business,” said Lynn, the owner of the store. “Summer is our busiest season. A lot of people coming up to visit will stop in. We try and keep tourism information on hand because people will often ask where else can we go? Or, what else can we see? I guess you can say I’m a tourism ambassador, often suggesting where to eat or shop.”

Lynn and her team look forward to welcoming customers again safely. They will reopen on Friday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with capacity limits and safety protocols in place.

Let’s show our local tourism businesses our support and thank them for their contribution to our economy and culture.
Webinars
Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
June 15 at 1 p.m.
Featured Properties
Keswick
$1,950,000
Keswick
$2,950,000
Sutton
$899,000

Disclaimer: Listings are provided to the Town from brokers, real estate agents, and various real estate websites. The Town of Georgina assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information shown, and does not make any representation, warranties or guarantees of any kind in relation to the listings in this e-newsletter or the properties described therein. Please contact the real estate agent or other contact person identified on the listing to verify all information.
Local Economic Recovery Support
As we continue to navigate this pandemic together, know our team is available to discuss your challenges and guide you to programs, resources or funding opportunities you may not be aware of. Connect with us.
Georgina COVID-19 Business Support Programs
Business support programs have been extended until the end of 2021 for Georgina businesses. The programs include grants, a development application fee rebate and a patio program. Learn more.
Digital Main Street programs
Digital Transformation Grant, Digital Service Squad Program and DMS shopHERE. All programs involve free support in helping businesses expand their digital presence. Learn more.
Marketing support for Georgina businesses
The Town of Georgina's Pivot Planning Squad offers no-cost marketing support for small businesses in Georgina to help pivot their operations. Request consult.
Free professional services
The Northern York Region Professional Services Access Program provides eligible businesses with access to free professional advice, including legal, financial, marketing and more. Learn more.
COVID-19 Response Fund
South Lake Futures has established the COVID-19 Response Fund to offer loans below prime rate to support businesses impacted by the pandemic. Learn more.
More support
For links to regional, provincial and federal support resources, visit yorklink.ca.
Events
Georgina Farmers' Market
Sunday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Link in Sutton (20849 Dalton Rd.).

June 11 is Shop Local Day in Georgina
The Economic Development and Tourism team at the Town of Georgina is showing their support with shop local gear from the Georgina Chamber of Commerce. Get yours at shoplocalgeorgina.ca.
Georgina Economic Development and Tourism