Small and medium sized businesses in Northern Ontario will be able to apply for grants starting today.
Earlier this week Ontario launched the recovery program for Northern businesses impacted by COVID-19.
$20 million dollars in grants is available thought the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.
400 stakeholders attended the zoom announcement and Minister of Northern Development, Greg Rickford says the response has been positive.
“We’re very excited for business across Northern Ontario. This is an extensively consulted program that we came up with and the feedback has been great. There was frankly relief. These are small businesses that endured expenses to make modifications of businesses over the past 5 or 6 months and we through this program will cover up to 25 thousand dollars through a grant.”
Money can be used for building renovations, new constructions, equipment purchases, including personal protective equipment, business restructuring and customer and employee safety installations.
Rickford adds costs will also be covered for upgrading IT platforms in order to do better online business.
When planning the program, Rickford says they kept the potential of a second wave, as well as the long term future of businesses top of mind.
“This program is very flexible and nimble. We plan to turn these applications around very quickly and help businesses out from the their past challenges and ones moving forward.”
Despite the NDP releasing their own business plan this week, Rickford notes the NDP hasn’t been helpful when it comes to the province moving forward
The Kenora-Rainy River MPP says businesses can be assured their government will do everything they can to get them back on track.
For more information on applications and to apply, check out the Northern Ontario Heritage website here.