Recovery time: Georgina continues business grants, patio programs

COVID-19 pandemic relief grants extended to end of 2021

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 21, 2021
Amanda Persico

Georgina is helping local businesses get back on their feet and open their doors.

To help boost recovery efforts, the town is continuing its COVID-19 business support programs until the end of the year.

Programs include funding grants, fee rebates and a temporary patio program.

During the first lockdown in March 2020, Georgina was one of the first municipalities in York Region to offer dedicated financial support to local businesses, said Mayor Margaret Quirk.

“It is essential we continue to support our local business community during these challenging and difficult times,” said Quirk. “By extending these programs until the end of the year, we can help even more businesses in our community.”

The 2021 budget included recovery assistance for local businesses, including:

• $34,200 for businesses within the town’s three Business Improvement Areas to help cover the cost of renovations or technology upgrades;

• $150,000 in development fee rebates for any Georgina business required to retrofit their space to be pandemic-friendly, including installing COVID-19 safety measures such as Plexiglas barriers, physical distancing signage and upgrading technology to offer e-commerce options; and

• $13,500 grant funding for non-profits and charitable organizations.

The town is also extending its temporary patio program allowing restaurants to offer outdoor seating during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The town’s economic recovery team also hosts a number of one-on-one virtual business consultations to help businesses find the support they need.

Since March 2020, the town has provided more than $308,000 in COVID-19 financial relief to more than 90 local businesses and not-for profit organizations, and nine restaurants expanded their outdoor dining through the temporary patio program.

For more information and to book a one-on-one virtual consultation with the town’s economic recovery team visit georgina.ca/business. You can also email ed@georgina.ca or call 905-476-4301.