Bruce County Resources and Supports
Support the Bruce: Business Sustainability Fund
Loans
Low-interest loans of up to $20,000 are available to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $750,000—funded by Bruce County—is available through the Bruce County Emergency Business Sustainability Loan, administered by the Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation.
Emergency Business Sustainability Loan Overview
Media Release - Bruce County provides $750,000 in Emergency Business Loans
Business Safety Supplies Grant
Businesses that operate a physical location in Bruce County and have less than 25 employees may apply for a one-time grant of $1,500 to enhance safety measures. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until the grant fund of $250,000 is depleted.
Funding for the Business Safety Supplies Grant has been allocated. Applications are now closed.
Business Safety Supplies Grant Overview
Media Release - Business Safety Supplies Grant
Spruce the Bruce Grants for Business
To support local businesses in making COVID-19 related modifications, the 2020 Spruce the Bruce grants have been amended for 2020. Matching funding requirements have been removed the total available funding for the program has been increased to $250,000.
Spruce the Bruce funding has been allocated.
Spruce the Bruce Grant Overview
Special Edition Spark Program Re-imagine or Re-tool your Tourism Business
Small tourism businesses in Bruce County are encouraged to submit an application with ideas on how they could "re-imagine" or "re-tool" their tourism operations, offerings and/or products to respond, pivot and adapt to the short- and medium-term tourism landscape and opportunities.
Applications closed June 24, 2020.
Media Release Special Edition Spark Grant TIL
Business Pivot / Adaptation Grant
Bruce County businesses can access a grant of up to $5,000 to expand, enhance, or adapt their existing business. The program will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funding has been allocated.
Business Pivot and Adapt Grant Overview
Bruce County announces another $200K in grants for local businesses
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS
The Open in Bruce Map showcases the businesses that are open during the pandemic.
As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street has announced three new programs to support businesses across Ontario.
- ShopHERE powered by Google will assist businesses to hire highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity.
- Digital Main Street Grant of $2,500 will help main street small businesses be digitally more effective. The grant will be administered by the Ontario BIA Association and will help businesses adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing.
- Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized, in-depth transformation services.
Infographic - Bruce County Business Resources - I need support ...
Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19.
This benefit is for students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance.
From May to August 2020, the CESB provides a payment to eligible students of:
- $1,250 – for each four week period,
- or $2,000 – for each four week period, if you have dependents or a disability.
Full details - www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergency-student-benefit.html
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
The Government of Canada announced on May 19 that it has expanded the eligibility criteria to include many owner-operated small businesses. The Program will now be available to sole proprietors earning income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.
To qualify, applicants with a payroll of less than $20,000 would need:
- A business operating account at a participating financial institution.
- A Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
- 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.
More information and application: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has been extended to August 29, 2020. The Government will consult with key business and labour representatives over the next month on potential adjustments to the program to incent jobs and growth, including the 30% revenue decline threshold.
More information and application: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html
Temporary Wage Subsidy
Canada has announced an up to 75 percent wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll. Eligible businesses will need to prove that their revenue has dropped by at least 30%. Wage subsidies will be capped at $847 per week and backdated to March 15. Large and small businesses, non-profits and charities will all be eligible if they meet criteria.
More information is available at the Government of Canada's Economic Response Plan: Support to Businesses page.
Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small business provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to:
- reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants
- meet operating expenses on commercial properties
- Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for the months of April, May and June 2020.
Additional Loans
Saugeen Economic Development Fund - Business Improvement Loan Fund
Ontario Federation of Agriculture - Statement on COVID-19 Pandemic
Employee Support - Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
Government Support/Financial Assistance - Farm Credit Canada
Business Support - Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Information for Industry
Mental Health and Wellness - OFA Resources
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario - COVID-19 Updates Page
Regional Development Agencies COVID-19 Info sheet
Tourism Industry of Canada - Current situation review and sign up for email updates related to COVID-19 Supports
Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates
