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Government Resources, Funding and Sector Supports

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Fu​n​​​ding​​

Train​ing & Support

Federal Resources

Provincial Resources

Manufacturing

Agriculture

Tourism

Industry Discussion Forums ​

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Funding

​Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

The TRF aims to help the recovery of the tourism industry from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance tourism offerings and to become a more sustainable and inclusive destination. It is available to the tourism sector in BruceGreySimcoe for applications up to $100,000. 

​New Agriculture Wage Subsidy for Youth​

The Growing Opportunities program funded by the Government of Canada provides $7,500 per hire in subsidies for introducing post-seconday students to careers in agriculture and agri-food.

Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream

This Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream of the Regional Development Program will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) across Ontario by way of investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development that will accelerate recovery in Ontario and place our companies in competitive global positions. ​

Enhance Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program​

The Government of Ontario is providing continued support to help agri-business guard against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

​Ontario Expanding Second Career Program Funding​

The Ontario government is providing financial support to workers by expanding the Second Career Program and proposing to extend the Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit.  

​Student Work Placement Program

Tourism HR Canada has launched a new subsidy program called Propel, for the tourism industry.  Funded by the Government of Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers qualifying employers a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 for each student hired through the program (June 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021).  More information available here​.

Regional Tourism Organization 7 Funding P​rograms

RTO7 has a variety of programs to help support BruceGreySimcoe tourism operators and stakeholders. They offer free training as well as funding for Video Image Production, Experience Development, Storytelling, Digital Advertising, Social Media (Video & Image) Advertising, Tourism Wayfinding, Trails & Cycling Signage, French Translation Services, Experience Implementation, Festival Implementation, Operations, Recruitment, Stainability and Inclusivity.

​Ontario Tourism Recovery Program

​The Ontario government is investing $100 million through the new Tourism Recovery Program to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19.  The program will help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs in communities across the province and help them prepare to reopen and safely welcome back visitors.  More information available here.​

New Intake – Canadian Agricultural Partnership – Food/Beverage Processors

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $6 million in projects to help Ontario food and beverage processors improve their operations, increase their competitive edge and adapt to challenges beyond the pandemic.​  Details available here​.

Renewed Ontario Together Fund Supports Ontario Innovation Showcase

 The Ontario government is investing $330,000 through the Ontario Together Fund to support the delivery of the Ontario Centre of Innovation’s (OCI) Ontario Innovation Showcase. The showcase will provide up to 18 companies that made submissions to the Ontario Together portal with the opportunity to participate in a competition for six $50,000 grants. It will also provide an opportunity for up to 26 companies that made submissions to the portal to participate in a virtual reverse trade show.

​Jobs and Growth Fund​​

Will help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness and crating jobs in every corner of the country.

Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)

​Supports for employers to provide wages to their employees still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Deadline for application is December 30, 2021.

Venture Ontario Fund​

The Ontario government is providing $100 million in venture capital funding to assist high-potential technology companies innovate and grow, boosting the province’s long-term competitiveness, helping to create jobs and driving economic growth.​​

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)​​

A business expansion funding program for large-scale project. It that incentivizes companies to invest in new facilities and equipment. It attracts projects that have a significant impact on business productivity and create new employment opportunities within the company.

To qualify for SWODF funding, Southwestern Ontario businesses must provide a minimum investment of $500,000, have at least 10 employees at the time of application, and commit to creating at least five jobs during the project. 

SWODF will fund up to 15% of project costs. Rolling application deadlines.

​Canada Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Loans​

On February 1, the Canadian HASCAP Loans program is now open and accepting applications.

What is HASCAP? Canadian businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 and the global pandemic can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. The funds are guaranteed by the Canadian government through the BDC.

Find our more information at https://hascap.ca/​

BDC Small Business Loans

Loans of up to $100,000, repayable over 5 years that can be used to buy equipment, purchase extra software or hardware, apply for a patent, trademark or, other intellectual property protection.

Apply at ​​​www.bdc.ca/en/financing/business-loans/pages/small-business-loan.aspx​​​.​

Ontario’s Digital Main Street Grants​

Programs that are designed to help businesses transition online or to enhance their digital presence. The following programs are available:

  • Ontario Grants: ​Providing main street businesses with Digital Transformation training and guidance and provide the opportunity for a grant of up to $2,500.​
  • shopHERE: ​​​Providing independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy, no-cost way to get selling online.​
  • Future Proof: Helping businesses identify new markets, pivot their business model, and develop and implement a deep digital transformation plan

County of Simcoe 2022 Tourism, Culture, and Sport Enhancement Fund

​ *Applications are now CLOSED

​We are pleased to announce that the County of Simcoe Tourism, Culture and Sport grant will be reinstated for 2022. 

Applicants can submit more than one application, for a total ask of $10,000. This could be one application asking for up to $10,000 or multiple applications with smaller asks for a combined total of up to $10,000​
Find out more information and the application guidelines at: https://experience.simcoe.​​ca/resources#SCTDF​

CanExport SMEs Fu​nding​

Small and medium sized companies ma​y access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. CanExport covers up to 75% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales.​​ Must be an incorporated legal entity or a limited liability partnership (LLP) to be eligible to apply​. 

With international travel restricted due to COVID-19, the CanExport SMEs program is pivoting to now help small businesses:

  • develop​ and expand their e-commerce presence by covering partial costs associated with online sales platforms and digital strategy consulting, as well as advertising and search engine optimization​​
  • attend virtual trade shows and other ​business-to-business events
  • navigate new COVID-19-related trade barriers by helping pay for new international market certifications and requirements

​Find more information and apply here. 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Provides an up to 75% wage subsidy to employers who keep employees on their payroll and have suffered a decrease to gross revenues​. Available to businesses of all sizes, whether incorporated or unincorporated (i.e., individuals and partnerships), as well as non-profit organizations and charities for up to 12 weeks.

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CEWS has been extended! Apply at www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html.

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Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy​ (CERS)

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Available to Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The subsidy is available on a sliding scale to cover a portion of commercial rent or property expenses.

For each claim period, you can claim eligible expenses up to a maximum of:

  • ​ $75,000 per business location (base and top-up)
  • $300,000 in total for all locations (including any amounts claimed by affiliated entities)
    • applies to the base subsidy only
    • there is no maximum​​ for the top-up subsidy

​​Apply here using a My Business Account​. 

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Available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government​

Find out what funding is currently available from the Government of Ontario, if you’re eligible and what you need to apply.​

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For help navigating funding programs, contact edo@simc​oe.ca. The Simcoe EDO has also put together a reference document of Government S​upports for yo​ur Business​​​.

Training & Support

Digital Main Street 

To help businesses get online, FREE one-on-one training throughout Simcoe County – not just those on main street. Find more information about the program here: Digital Main Street ​

To activate easy to use tools and programs such as website support, Shopify, Google My Business, Future Proof Main Street and social media businesses should contact:

Small Business Enterprise Centre​ of Bar​​​rie, Simcoe County and Orillia at 705-720-2445 or digitalsquad@barrie.ca

(For b​usinesses in the Townships of Springwater, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Severn,​ Tay and the Towns of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil and Midland)

South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre on 705-446-3355 or email them at digitalmainst@collingwood.ca.​​

(For businesses in the Townships of Adjala-Tosorontio, Essa, Clearview, and Tiny and the Towns of Collingwood, New Tecumseth, Wasaga Beach and Penetanguishene).

HeyLocal

HeyLocal is a Canadian marketplace that helps small and medium-sized businesses. Their mission is to offer a fully local online marketplace with the convenient shopping experience of retail giants, filled with great products sold by vendors within your community. Add your business to HeyLocal for free. ​​Learn more by visiting Facebook group.

Ask an Expert Series

The “Ask an Expert” series helps businesses and individuals navigate information and get answers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This ongoing series feature experts on topics like Health and Safety, HR, Accounting, Marketing, Business Planning, Legal, and Mental Health, to name a few. It is a partnership between the County of Simcoe, the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia, South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre, Orillia Area Community Development Corporation, Nottawasaga Futures, North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation and the Centre for Business and Economic Development. 

Learn more about upcoming sessions or watch recordings of previous sessions at www.simcoe.ca/askanexpert​​.

Mental Health Resources

​COVID-19 may cause increased stress and anxiety for businesses, employees, and the general public. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has put together a list of mental health resources to support you during these unprecedented times.

Learn more and stay up to date on these resources by visiting https://occ.ca/covid19-mentalhealthresources/​​​.

Checklists for Reopening / Operating During COVID-19

  • ​Self-assessment tools designed to help businesses identify gaps and risks, as well as potential approaches so they can safely resume operations.
  • Businesses Operating Through the Pandemic checklist here.
  • Businesses Returning to the Workplace after Working remotely checklist here.
  • Businesses Returning after Shutdown of Operations checklist here.
  • ​Pathogen Decontamination checklist​ – provides guidance to businesses as they prepare their facilities for a return to regular business operations

Guides for Reopening / Operating During COVID-19

  • COVID-19: Employee Positive Test Results – Protocol and Guidelines
  • Employee Re-integration Best Practices for Groups of 10 or more (CME)​
  • How to complete a record of employment
  • How to Apply for Employment Insurance and Service Information Sheet
  • Worksharing guide for Employers 
  • Baker Tilly’s Federal Relief Measures Guide and COVID-19 Business Guidance​
  • Avoiding Layoffs and ​Rehiring Employees
  • Canadian Business Resilience Network Pandemic Preparedness for businesses including guide to recovery and Toolkit for Reopening Canada
  • Support for Self-Employed Individuals​ – Canada emergency response benefit, deferral of sales tax remittance and customs duty payments until June and more time to pay income taxes

Federal Resources​

Service Canada continues to provide critical services online and through their call centers​​ during these extraordinary times, including a number of new virtual “e-services”. See details on virtual services.

  • Canada Business App – A dedicated COVID-19 tile has been added to the this app providing links to government announcements and information for businesses 
  • Statistics Canada​’s data and insights on COVID-19
  • Access to Credit ​- Information on the business credit availability program, emergency business account, emergency rent assistance, assisting innovative and early stage businesses, young entrepreneurs, businesses in the Territories, SMEs unable to access other support and rural businesses
  • ​Trade Commissioner Service Resources​
  • ​Canadian Business Resilience Network​​
  • ​Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)​ – For businesses that have temporarily closed or significantly restricted its services due to public health orders.

Provincial Resources 

 Toll-free line for Ontario businesses with​​ questions : 1-888-444-3659

Manufacturing

Agriculture

Tourism

Visit Experience Simcoe​ for a directory of local producers, restaurants, retailers and more that have pivoted their businesses to offer products and services during this challenging time.  

  • The Simcoe Entrepreneur Network is a network of community partners within the Simcoe County Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that works together towards improving the communication, collaboration, and consolidation of resources available to better serve entrepreneurs. Join the Simcoe Entrepreneur Network groups on LinkedIn and Facebook​ to connect with local entrepreneurs, ask ques​tions and share resources and advice to help support each other through the COVID crisis.
  • Barrie Manufacturing Portal – a private forum open to Simcoe County manufacturers to share best practices and ideas. Contact edo@simcoe.ca to register. ​
  • The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)​ has a “Member Needs Help” service to ask questions and share information. This is now open to members and non-members through the pandemic. 

Industry Discussion Forums ​

  • The Simcoe Entrepreneur Network is a network of community partners within the Simcoe County Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that works together towards improving the communication, collaboration, and consolidation of resources available to better serve entrepreneurs. Join the Simcoe Entrepreneur Network groups on LinkedIn and Facebook​ to connect with local entrepreneurs, ask ques​tions and share resources and advice to help support each other through the COVID crisis.
  • Barrie Manufacturing Portal – a private forum open to Simcoe County manufacturers to share best practices and ideas. Contact edo@simcoe.ca to register. ​
  • The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)​ has a “Member Needs Help” service to ask questions and share information. This is now open to members and non-members through the pandemic. 
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