| Announcements and Programs Free business advice from accounting and tax professionalsA new four-week program by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is providing free business advice from accounting and tax professionals for small to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits and charities. Funded by the Government of Canada, the Business Resilience Service provides guidance on available programs and eligibility, and helps make connections with the appropriate support organizations. The service is available until June 19. ShopHERE expands eligibility to home-based businesses Supported by the City of Toronto, ShopHERE brings together volunteer web developers, business students and corporate partners. Through ShopHERE businesses receive one-on-one support in building and optimizing their online stores. More than 900 online stores are currently under development and 850 web developers have volunteered to assist. Learn more about the program and see if your business is eligible. Support for businesses that are reopening To help businesses open safely Toronto Public Health released a planning guide that includes an easy-to-use risk assessment tool and a risk mitigation guide, links to an array of industry-specific support documents and sector-specific Toronto Public Health fact sheets as well as downloadable posters and infographics.The City is also supporting retailers that are reopening for curbside pickup and delivery. This includes a program to establish Temporary Parking Pick-up Zones and Curb Lane Pedestrian Zones. All open businesses should follow advice from public health experts.Learn more about government guidelines for street entrance retailers reopening for pickup services at a webinar on June 4 at 11 a.m. Digital Main Street connects businesses with useful programs and support Like many businesses, tea cafe Plentea decided to close their doors due to COVID-19. Facing decreased in-store sales, the cafe saw an opportunity to move their business online. As existing members of Digital Main Street, Plentea knew that the ShopHEREprogram could help them accomplish this goal. Working with the team they shifted their business and built an online store where they now sell loose-leaf tea blends. Businesses looking for resources, connections to trusted digital vendors, online learning, and one-on-one virtual assistance can sign up for help at no cost. Support City of Toronto COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts The business community can partner with the City of Toronto to help deliver vital, community-focused services for those most impacted by COVID-19 through donations such as food, technology, services, partnerships or financial gifts.Working with the City of Toronto, golf apparel manufacturer Levelwear swiftly diverted some of its manufacturing efforts to produce non-medical grade face masks in support of the community. Levelwear has donated hundreds of cloth masks to community agencies for their front-line staff and the individuals those agencies support. Learn how you can help at COVID-19: DonateTO. Applications open for Commercial Rent Assistance Program The Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program is now open for applications. Announced by the federal government in April, the program helps landlords and tenants weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Offered in partnership between the federal and provincial governments, and administered and delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the program offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners. Assistance is available for the months of April, May and June. Property owners can apply later and the program will be applied retroactively. Learn more and apply online. Digital resources for businesses Stay connected with Business AdviceTO, a series of free weekly online events for tech, retail and female-led businesses. BusinessTO Support Centre is available to help businesses complete applications for government assistance programs, retail opening guidelines and general business advice. ShopHERE brings together volunteer web developers, business students and corporate partner to help businesses build and promote their very own Shopify online stores in a matter of days. Digital Main Street curated a list of platforms, marketplaces and services that are helping to support small businesses during these challenging times. Financial support for businesses Federal, provincial and municipal supports include: Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program Support for Indigenous Businesses Business Credit Availability Program Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) For one-on-one assistance with applications for any of these programs visit the BusinessTO Support Centre. Business Community News Incubator accepting applications for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to solve issues presented by COVID-19 Parkdale Centre for Innovation, an incubator focused on inclusion and equity, is looking for early-stage entrepreneurs passionate about solving problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now open for entrepreneurship programs centred around the themes of food security, connected communities and digital startups. Facebook grants program for small businesses To help support small businesses deal with disruptions resulting from COVID-19, Facebook Canada launched a program that offers cash grants and ad credits. To learn more about this program, see if your business is eligible, and apply, visit facebook.com/grantsforbusiness Main street businesses step up to help healthcare workers Thousands of Toronto’s main street businesses had to close due to emergency measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some of these businesses decided to pivot operations to help frontline healthcare workers. From restaurants and cafes offering meals to hospital staff to a women’s wear store making face masks, their acts of generosity were a way for them to give back to the community. Stay informed with webinars and online events COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for the Retail Sector (Free) Thursday, June 4, 11 a.m. – Register Thursday, June 11, 11 a.m. – Register Watch On Demand* *This webinar was developed leveraging guidelines that had been published and available up to and including May 18. Ask an Accountant – Applying for Government COVID-19 Support Programs (Free) Wednesday, June 3, 3:30 p.m. – Register Wednesday, June 10, 3:30 p.m. – Register Wednesday, June 17, 3:30 p.m. – Register Business AdviceTO Event Series (Free) Weekly online events for tech, retail, and female lead businesses that provide an opportunity to share, learn and grow with other entrepreneurs and leaders mitigating through COVID-19. Business AdviceTO with Partners SheEO World Wednesdays, May to August, 9 a.m. – Register Business AdviceTO with Partners Retail Insider Wednesday, June 3, 11a.m. – Register Wednesday, June 10, 11a.m. – Register Wednesday, June 17, 11a.m. – Register Business AdviceTO with Partners TechTO Wednesday, June 3, 12 p.m – Register Wednesday, June 10, 12 p.m – Register Wednesday, June 17, 12 p.m – Register TechTO Together (Free) Friday, June 8, 7 p.m. – Register Digital Strategies for Artists and Organizations Wednesday, June 10, 10 a.m. – Register Scarborough Business Association Cyber Breakfast – A Road Map to Recovery(Free) Wednesday, June 3, 9:15 a.m. – Register Collision from Home Collision is moving online for 2020. Join “The world’s best speakers” and tech’s leading lights for one incredible online event. June 23 – 25 – Register Elevate Live Event Series (Free) This 13-week series features thought leaders and entrepreneurs sharing current insights into the most pressing issues facing the tech industry. Wednesdays, 12 p.m. – Register |
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Update from the City of Toronto
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