Fedeli Announces Recovery Funding for 145 Businesses in Nipissing Region
March 12, 2021NORTH BAY – MPP Vic Fedeli announced $2,916,403.72 for 145 Nipissing businesses through the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP).
These NORP grants were exclusive to Northern businesses and were application-based. They support necessary upgrades and improvements to protect employees, customers, and the community from the spread of COVID-19.
“Supporting business is vital to our region’s economic recovery and throughout the pandemic,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “This funding, exclusively for Northern businesses, is an example of the Ontario government’s commitment to the North.”
“Normally, our business depends on an international clientele travelling to North Bay, which was made impossible by COVID-19. With our normal business operations disrupted at the same time that we were in expansion mode, NORP funding has been a real shot in the arm, helping us to keep our doors open and our staff employed,” Said Mark Downey, CEO of Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. in North Bay.
“Receiving this funding has enabled The Original Bug Shirt Company to restructure the inside of our workplace, thereby allowing us to retain all of our employees during COVID19.” Said Julie Gohm, Owner of the Original Bug Shirt Company in Powassan.
“During this pandemic, we’ve all been through a lot. We knew we would have to make changes in our operation, yet we lacked the funds to do so,” said Sudawan and Qaisar Butt, Owners of Le Voyageur Inn in Mattawa. “With this grant, we’ve been able to complete all renovations and increase safety measures for guests and staff.”
To date, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has approved NORP funding for over 1,300 businesses throughout the North. NORP grants have been delivered to businesses across a variety of sectors including tourism, foodservice, and retail.
The NOHFC accepted NORP applications until November 20, 2020. Businesses could apply for assistance with projects that help them adjust to the impacts of COVID-19, including, but not limited to:
- Building renovations and new constructions
- Customer and employee safety installations
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases
- Marketing for new business initiatives
- Restructuring of business operations
All other NOHFC programs closed on September 30, 2020, to allow the corporation to focus exclusively on NORP. The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs on February 11, 2021.