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The province has now opened applications for their event/festivals grant:  Reconnect Ontario 2022 If your event/festival takes place between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and engages people across the province to rediscover Ontario you are encouraged to apply before the deadline of February 22, 2022. Funding can be up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000.  Just a reminder that nearly all applications now from the province of Ontario requires you to have a ONe-key ID, and if you don't have one, it can take up to 5 days to get one.  So apply soon. Link from Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries funding page -  http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/awards_funding/funding.shtml

As the Omicron variant rises in cases, although it seems to be less likely to have severe effects, the sheer number of cases means a rise still in the hospital counts. As such, the Ontario government has introduced restrictions in place for 21 days to start January 5th at 12:01am. Schools will move to online learning from January 5 - 17. Indoor dining will be closed (outdoor dining can continue with closure at 11pm and alcohol to stop being served at 10pm) Social gatherings reduced to 5 people indoors, 10 outdoors Retail stores and personal care limited to 50% capacity Employees must work remotely unless work requires on-site Gyms and indoor recreational sport facilities are closed Outdoor facilities permitted with 50% capacity Museums, galleries, etc... are closed Indoor meeting and event spaces are closed To facilitate this closure the province has increased the rebate program to 100% for businesses that are affected to be closed (vs. those that can operate with reduced capacity). So

  Source :   https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001372/ontario-launches-new-supports-for-businesses Ontario Launches New Supports for Businesses Rebate program cuts property taxes and energy costs; New cash flow supports providing up to $7.5 billion for businesses, including those affected by Omicron restrictions The Ontario government is introducing new supports for many of the businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. These supports include a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. “Ontario businesses have already contributed so much to the province’s fight against COVID-19,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “We recognize that these necessary capacity limits to reduce the transmission of the virus will impact businesses, and that’s why we are introducing these new supports, which will put money directly into

  Source:    https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/12/temporarily-expanding-eligibility-for-the-local-lockdown-program-and-the-canada-worker-lockdown-benefit.html Temporarily Expanding Eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Expanding Eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program Bill C-2, which received Royal Assent on December 17, 2021, included a new Local Lockdown Program to provide businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns with up to the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs. As the Omicron variant spreads and new regional public health restriction are put in place to limit capacity, the government is proposing to temporarily expand the Local Lockdown Program to better support workers and businesses. Under current rules, employers must face a lockdown to be eligible for the program. The government intends to use regulatory authority approved by Parliament in Bill C-2 to temporarily amend

THUNDER BAY CEDC LAUNCHES FUNDING PROGRAM FOR INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS December 15, 2021 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is pleased to announce a new chapter for the Starter Company Plus program. With help from our partners at the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation & Trade, and Indigenous Affairs Ontario, the Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre has opened a new Indigenous funding stream for the Starter Company Plus Program called:  Miinikaanan Badakidoon – which means “to plant the seeds” in Anishnaawbe from the Lake Nipigon dialect.  “The Thunder Bay CEDC recognizes the importance of supporting and growing Indigenous based businesses. Providing a new stream of funding that furthers our support of Indigenous owned and operated business is crucial to bolstering the strength and diversity of our economy.” states Eric Zakrewski, CEO, Thunder Bay CEDC. “The Starter Company Plus program has been around since 2014, and has helped hu

 A specialized grant program from the Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation , in partnership with UPS have launched.  Applications are open until January 10th with awarding/announcements occurring February 15th. See below for the 4 grants, and read more here:   https://www.ief-fie.ca/the-canie-microgrants/ Grant 1 – The Creative Entrepreneurs Grant – $5,000 Sponsored by  the Alexandra Horwood & Andrew James Labbad Fund The purpose of this grant is to support entrepreneurs in creative industries (art, music, entertainment, fashion, independent media, design services etc.) with their business development and growth. Grant 2 – UPS Product Innovation Grant – $5,000 The Product Innovation Grant will be awarded to entrepreneurs developing innovative products across any industry sector. Grant 3 – UPS Global Impact Grant – $5,000 The UPS Global Impact Grant aims to recognize entrepreneurs and innovators in marginalized communities making a social/environmental impact that transcends na