Help for Businesses
Business Information and COVID-19 Support
The East Gwillimbury Economic Development Department is here to support our business community. As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working with our industry partners to ensure that you have the supports you need.
If you have any questions or need assistance navigating the resources below, please contact the Economic Development Department at ecdev@eastgwillimbury.ca
We want to hear from you! It has been one year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic and we would like to further understand how our local businesses and organizations are doing. Complete the Business Recovery Check In to let us know whether you accessed any of the funding supports or programs so we gain some insight on the challenges and opportunities to support your ongoing business recovery. Click here
to fill out the form.
If you require assistance to complete the form, have questions, or would prefer to complete the form by phone, please contact our office and a member of our team will contact you to arrange a time to speak.
Economic Development Department
E-mail: ecdev@eastgwillimbury.ca
Programs and Funding
Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates
Businesses that are, or were, required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures can apply for rebates, provided in the form of grants, to help with their fixed costs.
Eligibility
All small businesses that are eligible for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant are also eligible for these property tax and energy bill rebates.
In addition, businesses are eligible if they:
- are, or were, required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of being under Control, Lockdown or Provincewide Shutdown in the COVID-19 response framework: keeping Ontario safe and open
- were required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of being under "modified Stage 2" restrictions in the previous framework
Businesses struggling to pay their energy bulls as a result of COVID-19 may also be eligible for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Businesses (CEAP-SB) which you can apply to through your utility provider.
COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Businesses (CEAP-SB)
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides an on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.
Small business and registered charity customers may be eligible for up to $1,500 in support towards their electricity and natural gas bills, and can apply for on-bill credits for both electricity and natural gas separately. Customers who previously received CEAP-SB support that was less than the maximum amount of $1,500 and have additional arrears may apply again, but their total on-bill credits cannot exceed that amount.
You must apply for CEAP-SB through your utility or USMP. Contact your utility or USMP directly as each may have a unique approach for application in-take.
For more information: COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Businesses (CEAP-SB)
Coming Soon: Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant
The government is introducing the new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant, which will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Examples of eligible businesses include:
- Hotels
- Motels
- Travel Agencies
- Amusement and Water Parks
- Hunting and Fishing Camps
- Recreation and Vacation Camps (For example, children's overnight summer camps)
Application details will be available soon.
Note: Any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this new grant.
For more information: Government of Ontario - Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant
York Region COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Support Program - Limited Applications
Applications for our Small Business Recovery Support Program are now being accepted in a limited capacity. Due to existing space allotments, currently only businesses located within the Towns of Aurora and East Gwillimbury can apply for this round of the program.
The program provides free training and mentoring opportunities to help local businesses adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it also offers grants of up to $5,000 to help businesses adopt new tools, increase their online presence and implement your new business strategy.
Submit your application today: York Small Business Enterprise Centre
Processional Services Access Program
Do you need professional advice but are concerned about the potential costs? York Small Business Enterprise Centre is still accepting applications for the Northern York Region Professional Services Access Program.
What you can receive:
Initial consultation with a York Small Business Enterprise Centre Small Business Consultant
- A referral for free professional services under ONE of the following service options:
- Lawyer
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Marketing Expert
- Human Resources Expert
The above list is not exhaustive, and you may qualify for other professional services. This is a limited time program, and space is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Submit your application today: York Small Business Enterprise Centre
Summer Company Program 2021
Are you enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution as a full-time student but thought about launching your own business?
Each summer, in partnership with the Ontario Government, YSBEC administers its Summer Company program, which is designed to foster and develop the entrepreneurial spirit in students between the ages of 15 to 29 , and who are registered to return to school full-time in September 2021. In place of a summer job, students have the opportunity to be their own boss. All that’s required is a good idea, commitment and hard work. In return, students receive:
- Hands-on training and skills development
- Coaching and guidance
- Mentorship to help develop and launch a business over the summer
- Opportunity to receive financial support of up to $3,000
This dynamic program allows you to take your startup business idea and turn it into reality. Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur and run your own company? The YSBEC Summer Company program is a terrific way to find out. Read about the many exciting ventures launched by young entrepreneurs across Ontario through the Summer Company Program in the Summer Company Yearbook.
For more information and to apply, please contact:
Pauline Nagelmakers
YSBEC Small Business Assistant
Phone: 877.464.9675 ext. 71572
Email: pauline.nagelmakers@york.ca
To learn more, visit: York Small Business Enterprise Centre
The application deadline is May 23, 2021 or whenever our available spots are full, whichever comes first.
South Lake Futures: COVID-19 1:1 Business Consultations
South Lake Futures is providing Business Consulting Sessions through a partnership with WCM Consulting as no cost to you. In your one-on-one sessions with a Business Consultant, you can expect to receive technical and professional advice to assist you in adapting to the changing business landscape. Assistance provided through the RRRF community based project include:
- Adapting workflows and processes (e.g.: digital needs assessment)
- Adapting and adopting a virtual sales platform
- Accessing new markets
- Answering your business related questions
For more information: South Lake Futures
South Lake Futures: COVID-19 Response Fund
In response to the negative impact COVID-19 is having on local businesses, South Lake Futures established the COVID-19 Response Fund to offer loans between $5,000 and $20,000 below prime rate to support businesses impacted by the pandemic.
For more information on this fund, please contact:
Brian McGregor, Interim Business Loans Officer
E-mail: bmcgregor@southlakefutures.ca
Website: South Lake Futures
Business Updates
- The East Gwillimbury Economic Development team will continue to support businesses during this difficult time. To ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, all business support activities will be conducted via telephone (905) 478-4282 and e-mail.
- Due dates for municipal property taxes and utility bills remain as normal timelines indicated on the bills. Residents are encouraged to pay if able, however, if there is a concern regarding the ability to pay a bill, please e-mail the Finance Department.
- The Town of East Gwillimbury’s Community Support Hotline is now open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (905) 478-3820 to provide hands-on assistance to residents and small business owners in identifying and applying for COVID-19 related Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Support Programs.
- The East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce continues to support local businesses throughout these unprecedented times. Please e-mail the Chamber of Commerce directly with any questions you may have as the EGCOC office will be working remotely.
- South Lake Futures remains committed to serving clients during this challenging time. Offices will be staffed but closed to the public until further notice. They will continue to be available through e-mail and telephone 1 (866) 605-1244. Ongoing updates will be posted to their website and social media.
- York Small Business Enterprise Centre continues to offer business supports and consultations via e-mail and the office remains closed to the public until further notice. Please visit the events calendar for upcoming events and seminars.
- 211 Ontario Information Hotline is your primary source for information on government and community-based social services. Find local services and supports in areas such as Foodbanks, Food Delivery, Helplines, Housing Support, Mental Health Support, Ready to Eat/Take Away Meals, and more. This hotline is free and confidential and available by TTY: 1 (888) 340-1001, e-mail, live chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in over 100 languages.
Business Resources and Program Links
The East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce partnered with FanSaves to support the local business community. This platform is free to EG businesses and will allow people to buy gift certificates from businesses that are currently closed or offering limited services, which they can use at a later date. Fill out this online form to sign up and start selling.
Distantly is an online donation platform that allows community members to make direct donations to small businesses in East Gwillimbury. The goal is to lessen the impact of non-essential closures by enabling customers to continue supporting businesses until they can full re-open. Add your business for free here.
ShopHERE provides East Gwillimbury businesses the opportunity to develop online presence. The program provides a customized online store on Shopify, hands-on assistance with setting up and launching the online store, training and support for digital marketing, and access tools to launch of their online store. ShopHERE is free but businesses will be responsible for the monthly Shopify fee after the 90-day trial.
Government Support for Businesses
Government of Canada
During this extraordinary time, the Government of Canada is taking strong action to help Canadian businesses as COVID-19 is affecting them, their employees, and their families. Help includes benefits, tax credits, and new funding.
Highlights
- COVID-19 Resources for Canadian Businesses Full list of resources and information on reopening, financial support, loans, and access to credit, small businesses and self-employed, suppliers, industry, and international trade, and more.
- COVID-19 Recovery Benefits for Individuals Workers not eligible for EI will be able to access income support through new Recovery Benefits.
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) CERS provides simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) As a Canadian employer whose business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks.
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) - CEBA provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) - The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses.
Information for Businesses
- Managing your business during COVID-19
- Canada's International Trade
- Canadian Business Resilience Network
- COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre
Government of Ontario
- Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework has five levels of public health measures.
- Businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures (in areas with modified Stage 2 restrictions or categorized as control or lockdown) can apply for rebates, provided in the form of grants, to help with their fixed costs.
- Coming Soon: The government is introducing the new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant, which will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace
- Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan (downloadable template)
- Sector-specific guidelines and posters
- A Framework for Reopening our Province
Regional Municipality of York
In-person business advisory services are currently transitioning to phone consultations at this time. For information please email: edo@york.ca
York Small Business Enterprise Centre (YSBEC): Effective immediately, where possible, the YSBEC will be moving all in person consultations to phone consultations. Consultations that cannot be completed by phone will be postponed until further notice. In addition, we will be evaluating all seminars and programs to see which ones can be delivered online. Please stay tuned for more information on our programs over the coming days and weeks including:
Other Information
Routes Connecting Communities
Are you looking for someone to shop/deliver on your behalf, please connect with Routes Connecting Communities Inc. at (905) 722-4616 or info@routescc.org. Also, if you are willing to provide driving/delivery services for those in need, connect with us too. We match the need to the volunteers.
External Resources to Support the Workplace
