Support for Local Businesses

• Online Business Directory
• Tourism Recovery Grant
• A-Frame Sign Pilot Program
• Queen Street Pilot Program
• Extended Patio Program
• Numerous Gift Cards to Local Businesses Offered as Prizes to Social Media Campaigns

Business Owners and Operators: Please see the list of programs below, along with some helpful links in the column to the right for available support.

• Canada Recovery Benefit - Income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. If eligible, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
• Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy - Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - 75% of employee wages
• Canada Emergency Business Account - Interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits impacted by COVID-19 (increased from $40,000). Applicants who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the $20,000 expansion. All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion.
• Ontario Small Business Support Grant - Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides businesses with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown.
• COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) - CEAP is a one time, on-bill credit for eligible residential electricity and natural gas customers - delivered directly by Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro and Enbridge Gas, further to rules laid out by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) - to help customers catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. A maximum credit of $750 is available. See application for eligibility and credit details.