York Region Economic Development’s monthly e-newsletter shares highlights and news from the business community, small business supports, events, economic data, and more.
IN THIS ISSUE
IMPORTANT COVID-19 BUSINESS NEWS
• Ontario to Gradually Return to the COVID-19 Response Framework
• COVID-19 Response Framework: New Guidance for In-Person Retail Shopping
• COVID-19 Funding Spotlight: Ontario Small Business Support Grant
• Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Applications Now Open
• Voluntary Isolation Centre Now Open
• Ontario Delivering Support to Agricultural and Horticultural Societies
• COVID-19 Business Resources and Funding Programs Overview
BUSINESS COMMUNITY & INVESTMENT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
• HCI in York Region: Powering the Future of Canadian Hardware
• Laipac Receives Clearance from Europe for COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
• 2020 Look Back: Our Top 15 York Region Business Community News Stories
• Investments Will Bring High-Speed Internet to Georgina Island and Udora
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
• York Region Innovation Portal is Moving to York Link
• Tech Undivided Applications Are Now Open
• YSpace Digital Launches Virtual Technology Accelerator for Entrepreneurs
• York Region Food and Beverage Accelerator Program Open for Applications
• What’s Digital Main Street? Watch the YSBEC Explainer Video
• TAKU Retail Offering Free Access to E-Commerce Platform
YORK REGION ECONOMIC DATA & BUSINESS EVENTS
• York Region Led the Greater Toronto Area in New Home Sales in 2020
• Unemployment Rates | January 2021
• View a Selection of Upcoming Business Events
IMPORTANT COVID-19 BUSINESS NEWS
Ontario to Gradually Return to the COVID-19 Response Framework
In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario Government is moving to a regional approach and maintaining the shutdown in the majority of the public health regions in Ontario, including the Stay-at-Home order and all existing public health and workplace safety measures. Currently, the stay-at-home order for York Region has been extended to February 22, 2021, but based on applicable data closer to that date the Region may soon return to the Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework.
New Guidance for In-Person Shopping at Retail Stores for All Levels of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework
A revised COVID-19 Response Framework with some new and modified measures in place will be implemented as the economy gradually reopens. These measures include updates to allow in-store shopping at non-essential retail stores with additional public health and safety measures in place.
COVID-19 Funding Spotlight: Ontario Small Business Support Grant
In partnership with Mentor Works, our series of spotlight articles will provide an overview of the different federal and provincial COVID-19 funding programs available to support York Region-based businesses. The first spotlight is focused on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with funding up to a maximum of $20,000 to help with revenue losses expected as a result of the provincewide shutdown.
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Applications Now Open
The Government of Canada announced a new program that helps hardest-hit businesses access additional financing, through interest-free loans. If you are a Canadian business that needs additional cash flow to cover operational costs, you may be eligible for the HASCAP Guarantee through your financial institution.
York Region Voluntary Isolation Centre and Financial Supports
York Region has opened an isolation centre for residents who cannot safely self-isolate away from others in their household. There is no cost for eligible residents to stay at the Isolation Centre and the stay is entirely voluntary. Employers are encouraged to share this information with employees to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Ontario Delivering Support to Agricultural and Horticultural Societies
The Ontario government is providing $5 million to support the province’s Agricultural and Horticultural Societies impacted by the pandemic. The funding is flowing through the Agricultural and Horticultural Support and Recovery Funding Initiative.
Want more agri-food news? Subscribe to York Region’s Agri-Food E-Newsletter.
COVID-19 Business Resources & Funding Programs Overview
To help you make sense of all the available funding programs and resources, we continue to update our COVID-19 Business Resource page. This page contains information on supports announced by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as, events, and other pertinent information to impacted businesses.
Primary Funding Support Programs:
- Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
- Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
BUSINESS COMMUNITY & INVESTMENT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative in York Region: Powering the Future of Canadian Hardware
The HCI, which launched in February 2020, is designed for start-ups that are building solutions for artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, wearable computing, 5G, and other transformative technologies.
Richmond Hill Headquartered Laipac Receives Clearance from Europe for their COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test of 5 to 8 Minutes
Laipac Technology announced that their LooK SPOT COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test received CE IVD clearance for Europe. It uses AI technology to deliver real-time test results within 5 to 8 minutes.
2020 Look Back: Top 15 York Region Business Community News Stories
Despite a challenging year, many businesses across York Region continued to grow and achieve success in 2020. Being mindful of the difficulties still impacting our business community, we took the time to highlight the success of those companies who adapted, shifted, and proved their resilience last year.
Government of Canada and Regional Municipality of York Investments Will Bring High-Speed Internet to Georgina Island and Udora
Udora and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, in the Regional Municipality of York, will soon benefit from improved access to high-speed Internet thanks to a broadband project funded by the Government of Canada and York Region. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2021, with connectivity expected shortly thereafter.
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
York Region Innovation Portal Will be Moving to York Link
The YR Innovation Portal is the official online hub of York Region’s innovation and startup ecosystem. It’s where you can find jobs, learn about events and read exciting news from across York Region. Over the coming months, the YR Innovation Portal will be moving over to York Link – the official home of York Region Economic Development.
Applications for ventureLAB’s Tech Undivided Program Are Now Open
Tech Undivided bridges gender and diversity gaps by better supporting women founders and leaders, who are underrepresented within the tech sector. It offers a comprehensive 6-month program to challenge women-led tech companies to scale their businesses.
YSpace Digital Launches Virtual Technology Accelerator for Entrepreneurs
YSpace Digital, York University’s new virtual talent and startup development hub, will be offering virtual support and programming for students, faculty and startups of all stages, regardless of geographic location. YSpace also has a physical location in Markham, York Region.
York Region Food and Beverage Accelerator Program Open for Applications
The York Region Food and Beverage Accelerator Program kicked off last month with the 2021 cohort open for applications. The program provides food and beverage companies with the tools needed to grow and scale their busiess. The program is led by York University’s YSpace, a Markham-based innovation hub, and delivered in partnership with The Regional Municipality of York and the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
York Small Business Enterprise Centre’s New Digital Main Street Video
The York Small Business Enterprise Centre has created a short video outlining the Digital Main Street program. This includes an interview with the owner of Gordon Wood Optical, who participated in the program and discusses how it benefitted her business. WATCH THE VIDEO
Want more small business news? Subscribe to York Region’s Small Business E-Newsletter.
TAKU Retail Offering Free Access to E-Commerce Platform
In response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on merchants everywhere, we’re working together with Digital Main Street to offer FREE Access to TAKU until April 30, 2021 for stores in York Region, Simcoe County and other qualifying regions in need of assistance. The platform provides online and mobile Point of Sales (POS) service, 1-on-1 setup and support and even includes $100 in Google Ad Credits to help promote your business.
YORK REGION ECONOMIC DATA & BUSINESS EVENTS
York Region Led the Greater Toronto Area in New Home Sales in 2020
Unemployment Rates (%) | January 2021*
The York Region unemployment rate in January 2021 continued to rise due to the provincial stay-at-home order, but remains lower than the Toronto CMA and Ontario unemployment rates.
*Statistics Canada, Labour Force Characteristics, 3-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, February 2021
**CMA – Census Metropolitan Area
A Selection of Upcoming Business Events:
02/23 | 2021 Vaughan Business Expo | City of Vaughan
02/25 | Founder Fundamentals – Growth Marketing | ySpace
02/25 | How Marketing & Supply Chain Can Team Up To Achieve More In Uncertain Times | FCPC
Subscribe to our other monthly e-newsletters on these topics:
YORK REGION BUSINESS UPDATE / AGRI-FOOD / SMALL BUSINESS
York Link | York Region Economic Development
The York Link team are here to help and are committed to supporting local businesses. We are still providing business advisory and consultation services, information on business resources, support for startups, and more in a virtual capacity at this time.