The province is now accepting applications through its Small Business Support Grant for small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced in December, the one-time grant provides eligible businesses between $10,000 and $20,000, which can be used to help offset costs associated with having to restrict operational hours due to the provincial lockdown.
There are no restrictions on how the businesses use the funds.
Eligible small businesses include those that:
- were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the province-wide shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 26;
- have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and
- have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
The province is providing other support for impacted businesses, including rebates toward fixed costs including property tax and energy bills. More information on those programs is available here.
– Northern Ontario Business