Economic Development Update - January 2021

Province Wide Lockdown as of December 26, 2020

Saugeen Shores moved to the GREY lockdown level as outlined in the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open for 28 days starting December 26, 2020. Find out more about what that means for your business.

Ontario Small Business Support Grant – Launching January 2021

The government is announcing the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to help small business owners during this challenging period.

Small businesses required to close or restrict services under the Province wide Shutdown will be able to apply for this one-time grant.

Eligible small businesses include those that:

• Are required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Province wide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26
• Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level
• Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with dollar for dollar funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Province wide Shutdown. Further details, including how to apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, will be announced in January 2021.

The Art of Business Workshops Series

The County of Bruce has partnered with Southampton Arts on “The Art of Business” workshop series. Starting January 26, this workshop includes a six-part series along with three online roundtable discussions to give artists and makers the education and tools on how to start and thrive in an arts-based business.

The workshops are free and all and any artists are welcome to join. Southampton Arts is accepting registrations through their website. You can also find the listing on the Business to Bruce Facebook page and Bruce County website.

Bruce County Survey Results Fall 2020

The “Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Bruce County Fall Survey” results are complete.

View the report presented at the December Planning and Development Committee meeting.

The results can also be seen on the Bruce County Economic Task Force webpage

Shop Here Program available through the County of Bruce:

Bruce County has registered for a program that is being offered by Digital Main Street (DMS) called ShopHERE. The program is fully funded by the province and DMS will administer the program.

ShopHERE provides independent small Canadian businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away. The program provides businesses with:

• Their choice of an online store customized with their information, branding, logo, etc.
• Hands-on assistance setting up and launching their online store.
• Training to support their online store, including topics such as digital marketing, shipping and inventory management.
• Access to free tools to help support the launch of their online stores.

The businesses will be set up on a Shopify online shopping cart. The first 90 days are free but there is a monthly cost for Shopify that businesses will need to pay for after that point.

The cost for this starts at $29 USD per month. If the businesses do not find value in the shopping cart after the 3 month trail they can simply turn it off.

The ShopHERE powered by Google program is currently open to small independent businesses and artists that meet the following requirements:

• It is a registered business, or a registered non-profit organization.
• It has a commercial location or is home-based.
• It has fewer than ten employees or fewer than 25 employees if a restaurant or bar.
• It is not a corporate chain or franchise.

Saugeen Shores Business Support Webpage:

If you’re a business looking for local, regional, provincial and federal supports and information please continue to visit the Town of Saugeen Shores Business Support Webpage for the latest information.

Saugeen Shores Strong Webpage:

Are you a community member looking for ways to help support the local economy? Find out ways you can help on the Saugeen Shores Strong webpage.

To request more information on any of the above please contact the Economic Development Officer at heather.hyde@saugeenshores.ca