Business Support
The Town is actively working with government agencies, industry partners and local business leaders to be able to effectively identify actions to support businesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The following sections contains links to various business resources and financial support information. If you require specific assistance, please contact the Town of The Blue Mountains Economic Development Department by emailing economicdevelopment@thebluemountains.ca
The Town of The Blue Mountains is here to support and advise local businesses during COVID-19. We are available to provide support and make sense of new information from different levels of government and provide advice on how to maintain operations and manage your business through these uncertain times.
Below is a checklist to help your business get through these challenging periods.
- Connect with the Economic Development Department
- The Town of The Blue Mountains Economic Development team is here to provide support for businesses during this difficult time. Connect with the Economic Development Department by contacting: economicdevelopment@thebluemountains.ca
- Review Sector Specific Re-Opening Resources
- Prepare Appropriate Safety Measures
- Become Aware of Symptom Monitoring and Testing Protocols
- Implement Store Specific Safety Practices
- Information for Businesses, Organizations, Operators, Employees and Volunteers
- Easy to read slide presentation about protecting workers in the Service Sector (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
- A Best Practice Guide from Restaurants Canada
- Physical Distancing Poster
- "Attention Visitors" Sign (Ministry of Health)
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Seek Financial Advice and Support
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program (CEWS)
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Interest-Free Loan Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
- Template Letter to Request Rent Relief From Your Landlord (CFIB)
- My Business CRA Account access information
- Provincial Grant, Loans & Other Support Programs
- Federal Support Programs
- Connect with the Economic Development Department
The Town of The Blue Mountains is pleased to offer the following Business Reopening Protocol and Operation Standards document to all businesses in the community. Developed by the Blue Mountain Village Association, and reviewed and supported by the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, the document aims to provide clear standard operating procedures that businesses can follow while planning for reopening.
Provincial ReOpening - Phase 2
On May 8, 2020 the Province of Ontario announced phase 2 of the reopening plan.
To view the list of businesses that can open in phase 2, please visit: Ontario Phase 2 Reopening
Show the community that you are open with one of our open for business signs! The signs are 24" wide by 36" high and are available in four different styles:
To request a sign please email: economicdevelopment@thebluemountains.ca
Led by the Community Recovery Task Force, the Town has established a $5000 Website Development Fund to help create e-commerce websites to support local businesses. The initiative is being managed by South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre as part of the Digital Main Street program.
The $5000 fund is split into ten (10) $500 grants that will be made available to qualifying businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. A service agreement has been secured with a web development firm to build websites for an all-in package of $1000 each, of which the Website Development Fund will cover $500 with the remaining $500 paid for by the business. Qualifying businesses will be able to select a website layout from two website designs.
Qualifying for the Grant
Businesses must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the grant:
- Businesses must be established and operational for a period of at least one year
- Businesses must be located in the Town of The Blue Mountains' municipal boundary
- Businesses must operate a physical retail location and offer products that can be shipped, picked up, or delivered
- Businesses must maintain the operation of the e-commerce website for the remainder of the calendar year
- Businesses that already have an established e-commerce website are not eligible
To Apply
Please email the Manager of Communications and Economic Development to confirm eligibility. Eligible businesses will then be put in touch with the website developer.
To help support local tourism businesses, the Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RT07) has launched the Ontario Implementation Program (OIP) which provides eligible tourism businesses with $1000 in FREE social media advertising to promote their operations as part of he RTO7's COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan 2020/2021.
To be eligible for this program, your business must be required to demonstrate the following:
- You have an active Facebook Page and are actively engaged on the platform (i.e. post at a regular frequency and respond to comments within 24 hours prior to COVID-19)
- You must have current collateral (produced in the last 3 years); high resolution images and/or video that can be used in a social media campaign
- Your website must be up to date and reflect your current offerings, hours and contact information
- You must have a product currently for sale or be ready to open to the public once the state of emergency restrictions is lifted.
If selected, RTO7 will match your investment in operational expenses (i.e. mortgage payments, rent, insurance, inventory purchases, etc.) with a $1,000 (including HST) social media advertising campaign. You must be able to prove these expenditures by providing proof (receipts) for the expenditure with the final report. RTO7 will cover additional agency fees.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until January 31, 2021 or until the program is fully subscribed.
For more information:
If you require assistance, please email: economicdevelopment@thebluemountains.ca
The Grey County Economic Development Department has created a dedicated Business Support Line to assist local businesses.
Available during regular business hours, local business owners and representatives can call and speak with someone who can assess your situation and help connect you with the right services: 519-372-0219 ext. 1270.
You can email ecdev@grey.ca(link sends e-mail) any time with your questions.
Please note that this service will not provide legal advice
A resource that summarizes the available government economic response initiatives can be found by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses has launched a Small Business Help Centre to help business owners understand the support programs that are available: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/small-business-resources-dealing-covid-19
Provincial Programs
Details regarding Provincial program are available by visiting: https://www.ontario.ca/page/stopping-spread-covid-19
- Ontario Business Support Line: If you're a business owner and have questions about temporary measures including closures and essential workplaces, call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659
- Ontario's Action Plan: https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/marchupdate/action-plan.html
- Guidance for Employers: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-businesses?_ga=2.95448604.1629040446.1588179057-1865072171.1579637868#section-5
Federal Programs
Details regarding Federal programs are available by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-businesses.htm
Summary Chart
Navigating and understanding the Provincial and Federal financial assistance and support programs can be difficult. The following document provides a summary of the available programs and initiatives:
As a business in the Town of The Blue Mountains, you have access to a variety of resources to help your business succeed and overcome obstacles during these challenging times. The following list contains various local business associations and support organizations that are working hard to protect and ensure the economic stability and community wellbeing of our community.
Business Support Video Resources
- 5th Annual Georgian Bay Healthcare Wellness Research Innovation
- Ask an Expert: Covid-19 Workplace and Business Safety in Simcoe Muskoka
- The Power Of Reputation In The Age Of The Consumer – Webinar
- Human Resources, CERB, COVID-19 – Small Business
The Institute of South Georgian Bay