Local Programs
Stormont Dundas and Glengarry, Regional Incentives Program
The County believes that 50% matching grant funding is a direct, predictable, and simple way to stimulate private sector investment, attract and retain businesses, and increase taxable assessment. These grants are available to eligible property owners and authorized tenants within the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
The next intake period for the Regional Incentives Program is expected to launch on February 1, 2022 (Pending approval of the 2022 Budget for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry).
Projects funded through the Regional Incentives Program must demonstrate that they will:
• Stimulate investment in tourism and in the agricultural sector by funding diverse, on farm expansions and agri tourism.
• Encourage redevelopment and private sector investment in existing building stock within the County to support employment, reduce the number of vacant commercial, institutional and industrial buildings, and increase the assessment base.
• Increase the amount of permanent roofed accommodations within the County to specifically accommodate for an increase in tourism establishments that cater to short-term accommodations.
To learn more about the eligibility criteria, contact Tara Kirkpatrick, the Program Coordinator and Manager of Economic Development at the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
More info: https://www.sdgcounties.ca/regional-incentives-programs
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Regional Tourism Grant
The SDG Regional Tourism Grant program is designed to help existing businesses and organizations increase visitation to Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry tourism initiatives and attractions. The next intake period is expected to open in February 2022.
For information, contact Karina Belanger, Tourism Coordinator at The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
More info: https://whereontariobegan.ca/sdg-regional-tourism-grant/
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across the province that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019, including the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
It is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for corporations that invest more than $50,000 to construct, renovate or acquire eligible commercial and industrial buildings in these regions.
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit will:
• help address regional disparities by bringing greater opportunities and prosperity to businesses, workers and families in these communities
• help attract investments, boost growth and create jobs by supporting businesses, including those that are recovering from COVID-19covid 19, to expand and grow
As announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, a temporary enhancement to the credit provides an additional 10 per cent credit for eligible expenditures in excess of $50,000 and up to $500,000 for eligible property that becomes available for use during a qualifying corporation’s taxation year, and in the period beginning on March 24, 2021 and ending before January 1, 2023. The maximum credit in respect of eligible expenditures that meet all of the conditions for the enhanced credit would be $90,000 in a year.
More info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/regional-opportunities-investment-tax-credit
Starter Company Plus (Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre)
Starter Company PLUS provides successful applicants with assistance to start, grow or buy a small business. Assistance includes training, business skills development, mentoring from local business leaders and capital. The program is open to Ontario residents 18 years of age and older.
The Starter Company PLUS program partners entrepreneurs with experts who will help you develop the skills needed to launch and sustain successful businesses. Program participants are also eligible to receive a grant of up to $4,500.
The application period is expected to reopen Spring 2022.
More info: https://businessenterprisecentre.ca/
Provincial Programs
Ontario Cuts Electricity Rates to Help Workers, Families and Small Businesses
The Ontario government is providing 21 days of electricity-rate relief to support families and workers spending more time at home, as well as small businesses, consistent with the length of time the province is in modified Step Two public health measures. As of 12:01 AM January 18th, electricity prices are lowered to the off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour — less than half the on-peak rate — 24 hours per day.
Electricity customers won’t have to do anything to benefit from the rate cut, it will be applied automatically to both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans on the bills of residential customers, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
Implementation of the off-peak rate builds on existing programs introduced by government to reduce electricity prices including the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER), which provides a 17 per cent rebate on the subtotal of the electricity bill of eligible customers including households,
small businesses and farms. Eligible customers will continue to benefit from the OER while off peak pricing is in place.
Reconnect Ontario 2022
Reconnect Ontario supports festivals and events that have a tourism economic impact and motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and increase tourism spending.
Deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 2, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
Note: A ONe-key account is required before the application can be completed and submitted. Please allow time for your account to be created and authorized by the province.
More Info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/available-funding-opportunities-ontario-government#section-20
Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street supports small business through training and grant programs to create online stores, improve digital marketing and skill development.
• ShopHERE creates online stores for independent small businesses and artists at no cost.
• Online training to improve small business e-commerce at no cost.
More info: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/
Digital Consult Program
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre (CBEC) helps to connect small business owners in Cornwall, SDG and Akwesasne with experts in finance, legal, marketing, technology and on-line solutions through the Digital Consult Program. Business owners are able to book an industry expert for up to three (3) 90-minute sessions, allowing them to ask questions, identify available assistant programs, and plan out future activities, etc. (Based on availability).
More info: https://businessenterprisecentre.ca/what-we-do/digital-consult-program/
Ontario Covid-19 Small Business Relief Grant
Eligible businesses subject to closures as a result of the province’s move to the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen can apply to receive a grant of $10,000.
To receive the grant, a small business must:
• be required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2022
• have fewer than 100 employees
Eligible businesses that previously qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply for the new program.
Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in the coming weeks.
More Info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs#section-0
Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program supports businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.
Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. Intake opens January 18, 2022.
More Info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs#section-1
Improving cash flows for Ontario businesses
The Ontario government is providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.
This will:
• support businesses in the immediate term while capacity restrictions are in place
• provide the flexibility Ontario businesses will need for long-term planning
The six-month period will begin on January 1, 2022 and end on July 1, 2022.
More Info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs#section-2
Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support (loans and grants) for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario.
The types of support available include: funding support, complementary services and support
The fund supports projects that:
• create jobs and build talent
• attract and encourage private sector investment
• lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
• encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development
Application opening: June 9 – July 26, 2022 (Consultations, ongoing with Denis Lapierre.
More info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/eastern-ontario-development-fund
Federal Programs
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
If you are a business, charity, or non-profit in Canada who has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a wage subsidy, a rent subsidy, or both through the THRP.
You may qualify if you are either:
• part of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors; or
• affected by a qualifying public health restriction.
Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)
Eligible organizations, regardless of their sector, may qualify for the HHBRP if they don’t qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
To qualify for the HHBRP, you must meet the following two conditions:
• You have a 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 of at least 50%
• You have a claim period revenue drop of at least 50%.
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
As an employer in Canada who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for a subsidy to cover part of your wages as you hire new employees and increase existing employees’ wages or hours.
Each claim period, eligible employers can claim either the higher of the CRHP, or the wage portion of:
• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
• Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
HASCAP loans are targeted to those businesses that have been highly-affected by COVID-19. The government has identified several sectors—like tourism, hospitality, arts and culture. These loans are administered by your local financial institution.
For more details contact your financial institution.
More info: https://hascap.ca/
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
Updated – Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more.
As announced previously, this benefit will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown, and who have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.
Check if you meet all other eligibility criteria before applying.
More info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit.html
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
The CRSB is extending until May 7, 2022.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate.
More Info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html
Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB)
The CRCB is extending until May 7, 2022.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.
Canada Summer Jobs Program
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.
The CSJ program objectives align with the redesigned Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and are as follows: provide quality work experiences for youth, respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers; provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills.
The program provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.
Applications are due by January 25, 2022
Funding confirmations will be sent to employers starting in April 2022.
More info: Canada Summer Jobs