Support for Local Businesses

On February 4, 2022, the Town is launching ShopNOTL, an Economic Development initiative in support of the local business community. This new website, separate from the Town’s website, provides a comprehensive online Business Directory and acts as a one-stop-shop for residents and visitors to shop local.

ShopNOTL connects NOTL businesses and customers by showcasing the superb and diverse business community and providing a simple, direct link to local business websites and other pertinent contact information. Signing up your business is a simple process and you can include your logo or a photo in your listing. Stay tuned for more information.

Take out Tuesday! The Town is doing an initiative specifically for our local restaurants called Take out Tuesday that will be promoted on social media. You're invited to join in a community-wide Takeout Tuesday event every other Tuesday beginning January 25th. Our local restaurants have been through a lot these last few years, and ordering takeout is one small way to show them our love and support. Join the effort and plan for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner takeout every other Tuesday! #SupportNOTL #ShopNOTL #LoveNOTL

• 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

Proof of Vaccination Signage for Businesses

The following signs have been provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health for businesses to use to promote the proof of vaccination requirements.

Please click on the image to access a PDF of the sign.

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.

• Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant: $10,000 for eligible businesses subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen.
• Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program: applications opening January 18, 2022: The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will support businesses most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: 75% of employee wages
• Wage and Hiring Support: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
• Rent and Property Expense Report: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
• Job and Growth Fund: Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDA) work closely with businesses and innovators in their regions to fuel economic growth that creates more well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians.
• Extending the Work-Sharing Program: The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
• Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.
• Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): This program will provide emergency funding support for large Canadian enterprises facing financial challenges in light of the economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. CEEFC has been formed to administer this mandate.
• Financial Support for Indigenous Businesses: First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and collectives can access funding to support their community-owned businesses whose revenues have been affected by COVID-19.

Government Subsidy Programs for Self-Employed individuals include:

• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.

For information about masks and for mask posters for businesses, please visit https://notl.com/facecovering