Business and Agriculture Community Teleconferences
Mayor Todd Kasenberg, CAO Kriss Snell and Community Development Coordinator Kim Kowch are holding Business and Agriculture Community Teleconferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Business owners and those in the Agriculture sector are encouraged to participate using the call # and participant code below.
Business & Agriculture Community Teleconferences - Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Business Teleconference at 8:45 a.m.
Agriculture Teleconference 10:00 a.m.
Call 519-418-6338 OR (toll-free) 1-855-727-6338, and when asked for a meeting code, enter 4593285.
-- Coming Soon!
| Ecommerce Marketplace Details |
| We are excited to announce that our ecommerce marketplace Shop Local North Perth.ca will be launching in the next 1-2 weeks. North Perth businesses will use the site to offer products and services for set prices directly online, similar to Etsy & Amazon. The marketplace will help buyers to shop and support locally – strengthening our local business community.
Product/services will be grouped into the following Categories:
- Restaurants & Local Food
- Shopping
- Personal Services
- Trades & Contractors
- Agriculture
- Leisure
The ecommerce site is free for vendors to join. This site will permit payment and delivery options as you specify in your profile. A small transaction fee for payment processing will go to a third party payment interface, similar to credit card transactions.
The platform will also offer a Vendor Landing page, where all participating North Perth business profiles and logos will be hosted. It can link back to your website for customers to directly seek your full products/services. Current trends are for buyers to search based on product but this marketplace will allow them to search by product or by vendor.
Businesses that wish to only list on the Vendor landing page and direct to their website will be permitted but we prefer that you would offer gift certificates as a minimum on our site.
For more information please email Kim Kowch.
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COVID-19 Business Questionnaire
In an effort to track the impact of COVID-19 on North Perth businesses, the Municipality of North Perth is seeking your assistance in providing details on your business operations, as well as the supports you require, through completion of our COVID-19 North Perth Business Questionnaire. We will use this information to compile our COVID-19 Business Status Directory, as well as to plan for current and future local business supports and advocate on your behalf in any discussion we have with other levels of government to support an understanding of local business needs.
Complete the Questionnaire
Business training
Visit the Business Training page on the Perth County website for a collection of training opportunities available to local businesses looking to learn more and adapt business models to offer services in a digital landscape.
Resources for Businesses
This list of resources for businesses relating to the COVID-19 situation will be updated as new information and resources are introduced. Last Updated: June 1, 2020.
| Government Resources |
| Resource |
Description |
| Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) |
New! This federal program offers financial support directly to small and medium sized businesses (including Tourism and Agriculture) is facilitated by Perth Community Future. This fund is specifically targeted to those that may require additional help to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been unable to access existing support measures. Eligibility and application on website under ‘COVID-19 funding’: www.perthcfdc.ca |
| Re-Open Ontario |
New! Ontario is planning for the next phase of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – reopening our province. This webpage includes information on the Province's framework for re-opening the province. |
| COVID-19 Workplace Safety Tools and Posters |
New! Provincial health and safety guidelines to protect workers, customers and the general public during the gradual reopening of the provincial economy. These resources are available for different sectors.You can also download posters about physical distancing best practices for your sector. Many new sectors have been added. |
| Ontario Workplace PPE Supplier Directory |
New! Information for businesses on PPE suppliers as they resume their operations. Businesses are encouraged to access only the PPE they need to keep their employees and customers safe. |
|
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses
|
New! The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, has launched the CECRA. Ontario commercial landlords can apply for urgent rent assistance for small businesses. See Ontario.ca/rentassistance for eligibility. |
| Canada's Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses |
Outlines the Federal Government's support to individuals and businesses. Covers wage subsidy and loan programs, credit availability program, tax deferrals. |
| COVID-19: Support for Businesses |
Information and advice from the Ontario Government. |
| List of Essential Workplaces |
The listing of essential workplaces as released by the Government of Ontario on April 3, 2020. |
| Ontario Electricity Relief - Families, Small Businesses and Farms |
Details on the Province of Ontario suspending time-of-use rates for 45 days. |
| Ontario Specific Updates - COVID-19 |
Updates from the Ministry of Health. Find out how to protect yourself and how to recognize symptoms. |
| Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) |
A 75% wage subsidy for eligible businesses to retain employees. Program extended to August 29, 2020. Click here for the CEWS calculator, eligibility, how to apply etc. |
| Canada Emergency Bank Account |
A $40K Interest-Free loan for small business and non-profits with minimum $20K payroll in 2019. Apply through your lending institution. Expanded eligibility announced May 19th eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
|
| Enhanced Work-Sharing Program |
Helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond the control of the employer. |
| Small and Medium –sized business unable to access support |
Businesses unable to secure funding under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Business Credit Availability Program can apply for financial assistance available through your Regional Development Organization / Fed Dev Ontario. |
| Federation of Canadian Municipalities - COVID-19 Resources for Municipalities |
Includes a comprehensive listing of resources from the federal government, provincial/territorial governments, associations, and other resources based on sector. |
|
| Business Supports |
| Resource |
Description |
| Perth County Podcast |
New! Perth County Economic Development and Tourism has launched a new Perth County Podcast. The goal of this podcast is to share information about programs and resources with the local business community.
To download the latest episode, visit Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or any podcast platform.
|
| Ontario Together - Help Fight Coronavirus |
Let the provincial government know if your business or organization can provide medical products such as ventilators, swabs, masks and eye protection. |
| Calling All Suppliers - Help Canada Combat Coronavirus |
Let the federal government know if you can supply products or services in support of Canada's response to COVID-19. |
| Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Canadian Business Resilience Network |
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery. |
| Pandemic Preparedness for Business Guide |
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce developed this brief guide to assist business planning and continuity efforts |
| Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit |
Guidelines and resources contained in this toolkit have been prepared to help businesses plan for and adapt to the disruption of COVID-19 and any future influenza pandemics. |
| Workplace Safety & Prevention Services - Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit |
A Business Pandemic Preparedness Sample Checklist provided by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. |
| Resources for Retailers (Retail Council of Canada) |
Includes answers to frequently asked questions for retailers related to Coronavirus/COVID-19. |
| Small Business Help Centre (CFIB) |
Everything you need to know to keep your business safe, including FAQs, government relief measures, and free templates. |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
Details on funding and supports for entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. |
| Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) |
Offers Ready Money (quick cash or short-term) loans up to $20,000. Please call for more information 519-814-7570. |
| Resources for Business and Employees (World Health Organization) |
Advice and information for businesses and employees compiled by the World Health Organization. |
| Information for Workplaces and Employers (Huron Perth Public Health) |
|
| Partners in Employment - How to Apply for EI Online |
A simplified version of how to apply to Employment Insurance. |
| Guidance for Food Premises (Ministry of Health) |
A best practices summary sheet for food premises from the Ontario Ministry of Health. |
| Business/Workplace Physical Distancing Measures Form |
A fillable form template created by the Municipality of North Perth for interested businesses/workplaces to use to share the physical distancing measures they have implemented. Please feel free to complete this form, print and post in your business. |
|
| Agriculture Supports |
| Resource |
Description |
| Perth County Podcast |
New! Perth County Economic Development and Tourism has launched a new Perth County Podcast. The goal of this podcast is to share information about programs and resources with the local business community.
To download the latest episode, visit Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or any podcast platform.
|
| The Agri-Food Open for E-Business |
New! Will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. No application deadline.
This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
- Bring Your Business Online. Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
- Develop Online Business Opportunities. Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects.
|
| Ontario Federation of Agriculture - Statement on COVID-19 Pandemic |
The OFA has compiled key information and resources to help their members and community stay connected and up-to-date. |
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Information for Industry |
Questions and answers on Temporary Foreign Workers, Food Safety, Animal Health, Financial Supports, Food Supply, Trade Infrastructure. |
| Information and Tips on COVID-19 related to the Agricultural Sector (Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council) |
A dedicated webpage with the latest information, recommendations, employee management tips, tools (posters, policies) and links to authorities. |
| Canadian Federation of Agriculture - COVID-19 Resources |
CFA is providing members with weekly updates on the virus as it emerges. Check this page regularly. |
| Farm Credit Canada - Increase to Lending Capacity |
Latest updates and how to get in touch with FCC. |
| Mental Health and Wellness - OFA |
Mental health and wellness resources for those in the agriculture sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Free resources to help your farm business during COVID-19 |
As part of our partnership with CAHRC, OFA members receive a free annual membership to the AgriHR Toolkit, developed by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC).
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