Lennox & Addington County Business Support

Resources For Business: COVID-19

Written by Stephen on February 8, 2021

The Lennox & Addington Economic Development Team is available to provide support to local businesses during this very challenging time. Business Coaches are here to help through phone, email, and video conferencing on any questions you may have with regards to financial support, staffing or diversifying.

We can assist you to navigate through the announcements made by government and provide more information as it comes up, even with it changing so rapidly. We are here to help you succeed, under any circumstance. You are not alone and we are available to help at any time.

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January 11, 2022 --There have need a number of recent changes brought about by the prevalence of the Omicron Variant in Ontario.

Return to Step Two

The Province of Ontario returned to the modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 12:01am for at least 21 days (until January 26, 2022), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators. Find out more.

Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant

The Ontario government announced a new Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that have been subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. The program will provide a $10,000 grant to eligible businesses. For more information about this program click here.

Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
Online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100% of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures. Learn more.

Moving to Stage 3

Ontario will move into Stage 3 on Friday, July 16th. Changes include expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. Find out more.

Stage Two of Reopening Roadmap Begins June 30, 2021

Ontario will loosen more COVID-19 restrictions as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 30. Find out what restrictions will be eased at: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000399/ontario-moving-to-step-two-of-roadmap-to-reopen-on-june-30.

Stage One of Reopening Roadmap Begins June 11, 2021

Ontario will move to Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen on Friday, June 11th at 12:01am which will ease restrictions on outdoor social gatherings, non-essential retail, restaurant patio dining and outdoor fitness classes. Find out More.

Rapid COVID-19 Tests available to L&A Businesses

Effective Monday, May 10th, Rapid COVID-19 tests are available at no cost to Lennox & Addington County businesses, courtesy the Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce. Find out more.

Updated Provincial Guidelines - April 17

The Ontario government is strengthening enforcement of the province's Stay-at-Home order while imposing new travel restrictions and further strengthening public health measures. The following is a summary of the additional measures coming into effect as of Saturday:

Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household;

Close all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector;

Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and,

Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions.

In addition, effective Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is limiting the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors. Social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions are prohibited, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.

All other public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail under the provincewide emergency brake (i.e., curbside pick-up and delivery only), will continue to apply.

For more detailed information on what businesses are allowed to be open please go to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/enhancing-public-health-and-workplace-safety-measures-provincewide-shutdown

Declaration of Emergency and Stay At Home Orders

A province-wide declaration of emergency and a stay-at-home order are in effect as of April 8 at 12:01 a.m. The province has updated their websites with the latest guidelines and business requirements. This will provide more information as you prepare for the latest emergency measures:

Media Release: Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

COVID-19: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require any assistance from the Economic Development Office.

Memo from KFL&A Public Health - February 9, 2021

Dr. Moore from KFL&A Public Health has provided more information regarding the recent announcement lifting the stay-at-home order for the KFL&A region. Business owners should find this very helpful.

[ Read More ]

Small Business Support Grant

The grant provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown.

Apply Here | Tutorial Video Here

Tourism Adaptation Fund

Tourism-related businesses in Lennox & Addington are now eligible to receive funding from the FedDev's COVID 19 Tourism Adaptation Fund.

COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open — Lockdown Measures

This document presents a summary of the zones in Ontario’s response framework.

KFL&A Public Health Orders Face Coverings Mandatory in Commercial Establishments

As of June 27, all individuals must wear a face covering (e.g., homemade or purchased mask, scarf or bandana) when entering and accessing services at any commercial establishments in the KFL&A area.

Ontario Main Street PPE Grant

Eligible small businesses can receive one-time grants of up to $1,000. To be eligible, your business must have 2 to 19 employees and be in one of the following sectors: retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, gyms and yoga studios, arts, entertainment and recreation.

Guides to Safely Re-opening Your Business

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Develop your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

Learn how you can create a plan to help protect your workers and others from COVID-19.

Learn More

Applications Are Now Being Accepted for the Canada Recovery Benefit

APPLY NOW

Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate

Businesses that are, or were, required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures can apply for rebates, provided in the form of grants, to help with their fixed costs. Businesses struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19 may also be eligible for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB), which you can apply to through your utility provider.

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REVISED Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) expansion is now open for applications. Eligible businesses can increase their current loan from $40,000 to $60,000 – an additional $20,000. Any eligible business who has not applied previously may also now qualify for up to a $60,000 loan. All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion. New applications are accepted through your financial institution.

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