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A Message from the Economic Development Department
Dear Port Colborne Stakeholder,
The Ontario Small Business Relief Grant provides a one-time payment of $10,000 to eligible small businesses that have been required to close indoor operations as a result of the province’s modified Step 2 restrictions that came into effect on January 5, 2022.
The Ontario Small Business Relief Grant application portal is now open until March 11 for eligible applications from:
• Newly established businesses
• Businesses that may not have previously applied to the Ontario Small Business Support Grant in 2021
• Businesses that were previously deemed ineligible but are now eligible.
In the spirit of efficiency, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade emailed eligible businesses that received previous grants in 2021 to pre-screen their eligibility for this new funding stream. Your business does not need to re-apply if you've completed the pre-screen and were verified to receive this grant.
Eligibility
To receive the grant, a eligible small business must:
• have been required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2022
• have 99 or fewer employees as of December 31, 2021
• be an active business as of January 14, 2022
Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply through the application portal.
Eligible small businesses include:
• restaurants and bars
• facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
• racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
• museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
• performing arts venues and cinemas, museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
• meeting or event spaces
• tour and guide services
• conference centres and convention centres
• driving instruction for individuals
• before- and after- school programs
The Ontario Small Business Relief Grant User Application Guide provides additional information about applying for the grant.
If you need help, call centres are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding government and statutory holidays.
• Toll-free: 1.855.216.3090
• TTY: 416.325.3408
• Toll-free TTY: 1.800.268.7095
For up-to-date information about how the City is responding to COVID-19, including facility closures and service disruptions, visit our website.
Questions for Port Colborne's Economic Development Officer?
Email Bram Cotton
Call 905-835-2900 x504
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