Town News

ONTARIO BUILDING NEW LONG-TERM CARE BEDS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
The Ontario government is adding 160 new beds in a new long-term care home in the Town of The Blue Mountains as part of the provincial government's $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new long-term care beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded beds across the province. To read the Province of Ontario's full release, click here.

The Town of The Blue Mountains is also pleased to announce that SHS Consulting has been retained as the Development Management Consultant to help guide the Community Campus of Care project forward. SHS Consulting will be responsible for working with the Town's 125 Peel Street Task Force and Council to source a private sector partner or partners to develop, own, manage, operate, and maintain the various components of the Community Campus of Care. To learn more, click here.
 

2nd ANNUAL GIVE THE GIFT OF BLUE CONTEST RESULTS
Building on the success of the inaugural campaign, the 2nd Annual Give The Gift of Blue Shop Local Contest was launched from November 29, 2021 to January 2, 2022, and featured an increased value in prizes to be won, with five (5) weekly prizes (valued at $350 each) and The Blue Mountains Ultimate Grand Prize package (valued at $3,000). The 2021 contest period saw over 1,100 total entries, with the majority submitted by residents, and generated approximately $110,000 of reported retail sales at businesses throughout the community over the holiday season. To learn more and view the weekly and grand prize draw results, click here.
 

TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD DECLARED AS AREA OF HIGH PHYSICIAN NEED
On behalf of the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee (JMPRRC), Chair June Porter and Vice-Chair Yvonne Hamlin are pleased to announce that the Committee has received confirmation from the Ministry of Health that the Town of Collingwood has been declared as an Area of High Physician Need. The decision to declare the Town Collingwood as an Area of High Physician Need will provide opportunities for eligible physicians that join the Family Health Organization (FHO) which is associated with the Georgian Bay Family Health Team to roster unattached patients. To learn more, click here.
 

BLUE MEANS BUSINESS - ANNUAL SURVEY
The Town of The Blue Mountains is launching its first annual survey in April 2022 to gain further understanding into the current state of the local business community. This survey will serve as a benchmark for the 2021-2025 Economic Development Strategy and will be used to strategically plan for and enhance economic development activity and initiatives implemented throughout the community. So stay tuned and keep a look out for the survey in next edition of our e-newsletter! 
 

Government Support & News

ONTARIO MOVING TO NEXT PHASE OF REOPENING ON FEBRUARY 17TH
On February 14, 2022, the Ontario government announced its plans to continue to cautiously reopen and gradually ease public health measures, with the next phase of measures being eased as of February 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. To learn more, click here. 
 

CANADIAN EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT (CEBA)
On January 12, 2022, the federal government announced that the repayment deadline for the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness has been extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing. To learn more, click here.
 

ONTARIO COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
The application intake for the Ontario government's recently announced COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant are now open until March 11, 2022! This $10,000 grant is available for eligible businesses that were subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. To learn more, click here.
Eligible small businesses include:

• Restaurants and bars
• Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
• Performing arts 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

ONTARIO BUSINESS COSTS REBATE PROGRAM
Online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program opened on January 18. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. To learn more, click here.
 

ONTARIO TAX DEFFERALS
In efforts to improve short-term business cash flows, Ontario announced a 6-month interest and penalty-free period wherein businesses may delay payments on most provincially administered taxes. The 6-month period began on January 1, 2022 and will end on July 1, 2022. To learn more, click here. Businesses will have the option to delay their payments for the following provincially administered taxes:

• Employer Health Tax
• Beer, Wine & Spirits Taxes
• Tobacco Tax
• Insurance Premium Tax
• Fuel Tax
• International Fuel Tax Agreement
• Gas Tax
• Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans
• Mining Tax
• Race Tracks Tax

Local Support & Program Opportunities

CATAPULT GREY BRUCE - FAST LANE PLUS^TM
Is your business keeping you up at night? Catapult Grey Bruce is now offering the Fast Lane Plus™ accelerator program to help Grey Bruce entrepreneurs overcome their toughest business challenges. Fast Lane Plus™ provides startups with expert resources to build capacity, generate more sales and expand your markets. If you are ready to grow and generating $200,000 in annual gross revenue, you may be eligible for up to $6000 in support. Apply before February 28, 2022. To learn more, click here.
 

SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE - STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Applications for the South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre’s 2022 Starter Company Plus program are now open. This program provides a great opportunity for enterprising people over 18 years of age who want to start or grow a business within the community. The program provides hands-on business coaching and training, as well as mentoring from local business leaders who will help make your Starter Company a reality. To learn more, click here.
 

SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE - SUMMER COMPANY
Summer Company is a youth entrepreneurship program from the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. The program is administered by the Small Business Enterprise Centre, and is available to students between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall. To learn more and book a consultation, click here.
 

SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE - DIGITAL SERVICE SQUAD
Looking to enhance your business's digital knowledge and capabilities? The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre Digital Service Squad is available to help you build your online presence and promote and sell successfully online at no cost to you and your business. Through consultation, a Digital Service Squad team member will help you asses your business's online presence and provide recommendations on how to enhance your digital capabilities. To book your FREE 30-minute consultation, click here.
 

Upcoming Training & Event Opportunities

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We're available to assist with any questions you may have regarding your business development and operations. We're also always seeking new ideas and feedback for our newsletter and economic development initiatives.

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