‘Pandemic has been challenging for everyone’: Georgina extends COVID-19 business supports

Georgina business recovery grants in place until end of 2022

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 17, 2022
Amanda Persico

As the pandemic continues to take a toll on local businesses, Georgina extended its COVID-19 business support programs to the end of the year.

With a number of modifications to expand eligibility criteria, the recovery programs include grants, development fee rebates and a temporary patio program.

“The pandemic has been challenging for everyone, especially our business community,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk. “Continuing these programs is essential to support their recovery.”

After two years of offering pandemic-related relief, the programs have been modified to best meet the business community’s current needs, she added.

One of the changes is added a technology stream to the Community Improvement Plan grant. Under the new technology stream, grant funding is available to local businesses for computer equipment, mobile devices and digital marketing to help enable e-commerce or online business options.

Since the start of the pandemic, more than 200 businesses and not-for-profit organizations were supported through the town’s recovery programs to help cover costs associated with the pandemic.

The grant programs available for businesses include:

Community Improvement Plan program -- $40,000 is available to businesses in Georgina's three Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) to help cover the costs of accessibility upgrades, façade enhancements and technological upgrades.

Development Application Fee Rebate program -- $100,000 is available townwide for development application fee rebates, up to $3,000 per applicant.

Temporary Patio Program -- an up to $2,000 grant is available for restaurants to set up a temporary outdoor patio.

For more information, visit georgina.ca/grants.