East Gwillimbury business tries to stay in good shape online amid COVID-19 pandemic

York Region commits $500,000 to help local businesses struggling due to coronavirus

Yorkregion.com
July 15. 2020

Personal training online? That’s what Kim Mortson from Body Design had to contemplate as the COVID-19 pandemic ground the world to a halt this spring.

The Mount Albert resident has been running her personal training studio, where she also offers yoga, for 18 years.

“All of our services were offered on-site,” she said. “We had pivot very quickly to be able to deliver services. If we couldn’t deliver services I could provide employment.”

Around 70 per cent of Mortson clients came on board for the virtual classes and training. She said more people would have liked to join but many cited the poor internet service in their rural communities as a reason they couldn’t join.

Mortson said there are nine people in total working for body design.

“We still have not got the green light to reopen yet. We have been able to resume our running classes outdoors six feet apart,” she said. “I am undecided on how we are going to proceed; the online is working very well.”

Mortson said clients miss the interaction and community feel that comes with in-person sessions. Despite being undecided about their approach heading into the fall, Mortson said she had “a pretty good idea of what our rules are going to be”.

Her business was not eligible for the wage subsidy program because the other employees are subcontractors. Mortson did apply for a program form the Town of East Gwillimbury but she hasn’t hear back yet.

“I think there has been a lot of effort to help small business. I know our local chamber of commerce is trying to support local business through this,” she said. “The feds have come up with significant financial incentives but every business is unique and it may not address unique needs of some businesses.”

As small businesses like Mortson’s enter Stage 2 of the provincial orders during the coronavirus pandemic, York Region council has decided to refocus their Starter Plus Program and use $500,000 of funding to support local businesses as they recover.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our economy and local businesses,” York Region chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson, said. “We are supporting York Region businesses through the reopening of our community and economic recovery.”

Part of this decision was made since “many businesses across York Region have expressed concern and uncertainty over the ability to withstand and recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Charles Banfield, the region's manager of strategic economic initiatives, said.

Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey meant to gather feedback from one per cent of Canadian businesses during the period of April 3 to 24. York Region respondents made up eight per cent of the study, and 90 per cent of them were small businesses.

Part of the survey found that 72 per cent of businesses have been negatively impacted by social distancing measures, and 70 per cent of the respondents’ workforce can’t carry out a majority of duties during the pandemic.

The Starter Company Plus programs are offered through the four Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC) located in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and the York Region Administrative Centre. Information about how to apply for these programs is available on the respective SBEC websites.