News

Ontario Expanding Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant

NORTH BAY – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is expanding the number of small businesses that can apply for the Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) to cautiously and gradually reopen in parts of the province.

Small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors – expanded from 2-9 employees – including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for up to $1,000 in financial support. The expansion is being made as more parts of the province enter the strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework, which allows for the gradual and safe reopening of in-store shopping at non-essential retail stores.

“This funding will help even more main street businesses in Nipissing stay safe, keep people employed, and continue contributing to our area,” said MPP Fedeli. “Expanding eligible sectors for the PPE grant that have been significantly affected by COVID-19 is another way we can support our small business community.”

This one-time grant reimburses main street businesses for up to $1,000 in PPE costs incurred since March 17, 2020. Eligible businesses for the Main Street Relief Grant (Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport) now include those with 2 to 19 employees in the following sectors:

•  retail trade;
• accommodation and food services;
• repair and maintenance;
• personal and laundry services;
• gyms and yoga studios; and
• arts, entertainment, and recreation.

Small businesses can visit ontario.ca/smallbusiness to learn about the many supports available to them. These include resources to find Ontario-made PPE through the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory, tools to build or expand their online presence through Digital Main Street, tailored local support through the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, and free financial advice.

Quick Facts

• The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers.
• The government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses that have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown.
• The government launched the $50-million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses retool their operations to produce PPE and develop technology-driven solutions and services for businesses to reopen safely.
• Businesses and individuals looking to help in the fight against COVID-19 can submit their proposals through the Ontario Together portal.
• The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters’ Ontario Made program is helping the province’s manufacturing base regain and recover revenues lost due to COVID-19 by encouraging manufacturers and producers to register and promote their products on the SupportOntarioMade.ca site and use the Ontario Made logo.