Economic Development Update - December 2022

Check out the latest in economic development news.

To view a full list of resources from a variety of sources and organizations, visit the Town’s Business Support webpage.

Still have questions? Reach out to the Economic Development Officer at Heather.Hyde@SaugeenShores.ca

Digital Service Squad in Saugeen Shores

The Digital Service Squad program continues to be available in Saugeen Shores. Businesses have free access to our Digital Service Squad member, Jack Bender, a trained digital specialist who will provide hands-on assistance to help businesses adopt online technologies and digitally transform their sales, marketing, and back-office operations.

Any interested businesses can contact Jack Bender at dssjackbender@gmail.com.

Digital Main Street’s Grow Your Small Business on Instagram Webinar

Jan 5, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:30 am

This intermediate-level workshop is for those that have already dipped their toes into the world of Instagram and are looking to grow on the platform. We’ll explore different ways small businesses are strategically building a following on Instagram and generating sales from their efforts. You’ll walk away from this workshop with a list of ideas you can use right away.

This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario. Participate online for free. Download details will be provided after registration. Webinars will be recorded and made available to all registrants.

Everyone who registers for this webinar will be entered into a draw to win a free eBook copy of See You on the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing. The winners will be chosen at random and announced during the workshop. You’ll have to be in attendance to claim your prize.

Online Winter & Shoulder Season Tourism Workshop

January 17, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Looking to create or elevate a revenue-generating idea in winter and shoulder season tourism activities? This inspirational two-hour workshop, delivered by BC Hughes, aims to assist tourism operators in uncovering their business' potential growth areas within winter/shoulder season tourism. You will receive customized strategies and tangible next steps for winter/shoulder season tourism development for your business, peer-to-peer input, and a 30-minute one-on-one coaching session. Presented by TIAO (Tourism Industry Association of Ontario) and RTO7.

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email sgonsalves@tiaontario.ca to express your interest.

EmployerOne Survey

There’s still time for employers to complete the Four County Labour Market Planning Board’s survey, which closes on January 31, 2023. The survey is for employers in Bruce and Grey counties, with at least one employee. The 22 questions take about five minutes to complete.

For more information and to complete the survey, click here. For more information on the Four County Labour Market Planning Board and the resources and support they offer businesses, check out their website.

Canada Summer Jobs Program Now Accepting Applications

Applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program are now open.

The deadline to apply is January 12, 2023.

Applicants can seek funding to hire youth between April 24 and September 2, 2023. Approved employers from the not-for-profit sector are eligible for a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage. Approved public and private sector employers are eligible to receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage.

Learn more and apply by visiting the Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy web page.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) provides opportunities for employers, individually or in groups, to invest in their workforce, with help from the government.

The COJG provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer groups who wish to purchase training for their employees. It is available to small, medium, and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees. Important to know:

Employers can get up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
The training has to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.
Employers with 100 or more employees need to contribute 1/2 of the training costs. Small employers with less than 100 employees need to contribute 1/6 of training costs.

Visit here for more information.

Canada Digital Adoption Program

Grants of up to $2,400 and $15,000 to assist with digital adoption. Available to small/medium sized businesses across Canada.

Visit here to learn more.