Qualified small to medium-sized Canadian businesses can receive from $25,000 to $1 million in HASCAP loans, and larger organizations with multiple locations such as a chain of restaurants or hotels can receive up to $6.25 million in funding support.
Agri-Food
York Region Business Update // February 2021
York Region Economic Development’s monthly e-newsletter shares highlights and news from the business community, small business supports, events, economic data, and more.
Ontario Expands Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant
The Ontario government is expanding the number of small businesses that can apply for the Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) to cautiously and gradually reopen in parts of the province. Small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors
Ontario Small Business Support Grant | COVID-19 Funding Spotlight
The Ontario Small Business Support Grant will grant small businesses between $10,000-$20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the provincewide lockdown.
2020 Look Back: Our Top 15 York Region Business Community News Stories
2020 was a challenging year for the business community, but there were still moments worth celebrating. Check out our Top 15 list.
The New Ontario Small Business Support Grant
The government is announcing the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to help small business owners during this challenging period.
Richmond Hill Headquartered La Rocca Expands With a New Retail Store & Creative Kitchen in Midtown Toronto
Dec. 9, 2020 – The drive behind La Rocca Creative Kitchen Richmond Hill, and now in Midtown Toronto, is to act as a hub for new and creative desserts in an interactive space to engage with the community.
King City’s Beretta Farms Featured in A&W Commercial
King City’s very own Beretta Farms is featured in a commercial for A&W restaurants.
Lieschen Beretta, ranch manager at Beretta Farms, stars in the commercial as she talks about grass-fed beef.
A&W is featuring grass-fed beef in its restaurants and featured Beretta and another rancher in its commercial.
Two Balzac’s Coffee Roasters Open in Vaughan, First in York Region
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters, a boutique coffee chain, announced on Oct. 1 the opening of not only one joint in Kleinburg but also another at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), with soaring ceilings and an airy modern esthetic.
Georgina Educational Farm Scores $150,000 Through $3.3 Million Rural Grants Program
The provincial government is investing $3.3 million in a cost-sharing program to revitalize the economies of rural and Indigenous communities, according to an announcement made in Georgina.
York Region Enters Stage 3 of Re-opening
The Provincial government has given York Region approval to enter Stage 3 of re-opening but what exactly does that mean?
Ontario Moving More Regions into Stage 3 including York Region
The Ontario government is allowing seven more regions to enter Stage 3 on Friday, increasing the number of businesses and public spaces that will reopen across the province. This includes York Region.
Vaughan Headquartered Mike and Mike’s Organics Acquired by U.S. Based HKW via its Portfolio Company Fresh Direct Produce
INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HKW, a middle-market private equity firm, today announced its portfolio company, Fresh Direct Produce, Ltd. (“Fresh Direct Produce”), has acquired Mike and Mike’s Inc. (“Mike and Mike’s” or the “Company”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sobeys is Launching Voila, a One Hour Delivery Service from their High-Tech Warehouse in Vaughan to Customers
Sobeys is launching a new grocery delivery service in the Greater Toronto Area that will bring groceries from a high-tech warehouse to customers within one hour.
Vaughan-Based Tre Stelle Offers Free Copy of Canada's First All-Cheese Cookbook
While we may not be able to celebrate holidays like National Hug-Your Boss Day or National Kissing Day quite yet, cheese lovers can rejoice as things are good (and gooey) to go for National Cheese Day today.
Newmarket Businesses Find Ways to Pivot During Coronavirus Pandemic
In a time when the global coronavirus pandemic seized the world, many businesses found ways to pivot to continue operating.
Government of Canada Announces Additional Support for Businesses to Help Save Canadian Jobs
COVID-19 has altered the way we live our lives and, every day, Canadians are facing new challenges during this crisis. As more people worry about paying their bills and caring for their loved ones, the Government of Canada is continuing to take unprecedented action to help protect middle class jobs, and the health and safety of all Canadians.
Business and Farm Resources to Support Your Community During COVID-19
The Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice held a webinar on April 15, 2020, to discuss issues in the agriculture and food sector due to COVID-19 and how to help communities during these difficult times.
Ontario Further Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction During COVID-19
The Ontario government is allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores.
Supporting Canada’s Farmers, Food Businesses, and Food Supply
In uncertain times, it is more critical than ever for Canadians to have access to good, high quality, and nutritious food. That is why the Government of Canada is taking steps to support the farmers and businesses who provide Canadians with the food they need to keep themselves and their families healthy.
Newmarket-Based Market Brewing Company Joins the Fight Against COVID-19
Market Brewing Company is proud to announce the production and delivery of their first batch of hand sanitizer to Southlake Regional Health Centre in their hometown of Newmarket, Ontario.
Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector expand online, providing more opportunities for producers to grow their business and offer more food choices for families who are shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding is being provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership).
Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
The Ontario Government is committing $241 million to partner with the federal government and deliver more than $900 million in urgent relief to small businesses and their landlords through a new program, the Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA).
YORK REGION BUSINESSES COVID-19 SUPPORT FAQ
We’ve highlighted some of the most frequently asked questions that York Region businesses have been asking related to available support during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery process.
COVID-19 PLANNING: GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR YORK REGION AGRI-FOOD BUSINESSES
We’ve highlighted some of the top government funding programs in these three investment areas that agri-food businesses in York Region should be aware of.
Coronavirus Crisis: Nature's Emporium Locations in York Region Offer Seniors Free Grocery Delivery
Nature’s Emporium is offering free home delivery for seniors 65 years and older to provide them with a safe way to get groceries, the Canadian family-owned chain announced April 6.
THE KEY TO COVID-19 BUSINESS SURVIVAL: CASH FLOW SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Federal and provincial governments have launched several stimulus programs to help businesses gain access to additional cash and financing options to evolve their cash flow planning and strategic investments.
The Last Straw Distillery in Vaughan is Transforming its Production Line to Make Hand Sanitizers
The Vaughan-based Last Straw Distillery is one of the latest businesses to transform its actual line of production to make much-needed hand sanitizers.
“The hand sanitizer approval actually came through on Sunday (March 29). I guess Health Canada was looking through the weekend to process all these applications,” said Mike Hook, one of the distillery’s founders.
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS YORK REGION EMPLOYERS SHOULD TAKE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The Canadian federal government has announced its economic response plan to COVID-19, including multiple new and rapidly evolving financial support programs to help SMEs through the coronavirus pandemic. This article highlights the available federal and provincial government funding programs to help employers in York Region through these extraordinary times.
Government of Canada Boosts Wage Subsidy to 75% for Small, Medium Businesses to Avoid Layoffs During COVID-19 Crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced more help for small and medium-sized businesses to keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, including a 75 per cent wage subsidy and guaranteed interest-free loans.