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
COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT
- Ontario’s Mandatory Mask Mandate Inside Public Places Has Been Lifted
- COVID-19 Business Resources & Funding Programs Overview
BUSINESS COMMUNITY & INVESTMENT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- TechKnowledgy: The Depth and Potential of AutoTech in York Region
- ventureLAB 2021 Annual Review
- PetValu Enters Quebec With Acquisition of Largest Pet Specialty Franchisor
- Building Better Bridges to Food and Farming
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Improve Your Online Presence with the Canada Digital Adoption Program
- Calling All Students Interested in Owning a Business
- Chocolate Specialty Store, Cocoa 40, Opening on Main Street Newmarket
YORK REGION ECONOMIC DATA
- Unemployment Rates of York Region, Toronto CMA, and Ontario
- 2021 York Region Census Release Report: Population and Dwelling Counts
BUSINESS EVENTS & OTHER INFORMATION
COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT
Ontario’s Mandatory Mask Mandate Inside Public Places Has Been Lifted
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced the Provincial mandate requiring the use of a mask inside public spaces will be lifted today (Monday, March 21). Under the Province’s new Living with and Managing COVID-19 Plan, masking will remain in select settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings. READ MORE
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. You can find information on all programs such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Recovery Hiring Program, and more, over on our dedicated COVID-19 support page.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY & INVESTMENT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
TechKnowledgy: That’s One Way to Describe the Depth and Potential of Automotive Technology in Greater Toronto Area’s York Region
Layer upon layer of automotive technology experience and innovation are embedded in the Greater Toronto Area’s York Region, much like the advanced components embedded in today’s vehicles. Unlike some of the complex systems packed under the hood, however, in York Region you can actually get to them. READ MORE
ventureLAB enabled tech companies Create 400+ New Jobs and Raise Over $116 Million in Capital
2021 was another exceptional year for ventureLAB and our community. While we collectively continued to navigate challenging circumstances, this past year has proven it was a year of resiliency and growth. Inside ventureLAB’s 2021 Annual Review, you’ll find highlights and more from the past year. READ MORE
Markham Headquartered Pet Valu Announces Acquisition of Chico, Québec’s Largest Pet Specialty Franchisor
Pet Valu Holdings Ltd., a Canadian specialty retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies, announced its entry into the Québec market with the acquisition of Les Franchises Chico Inc; Québec’s largest franchisor of pet specialty stores, with 66 locations across the province. READ MORE
Building Better Bridges to Food and Farming
The gaps have grown far beyond rural-urban and are all over the map – literally. We have gaps between farmers and consumers and types of farms, between regions and sectors across the food system and more. So what? Does it matter if our food system and everyone who eats aren’t connected? READ MORE
Want more agri-food news? Subscribe to York Region’s Agri-Food E-Newsletter
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Improve Your Online Presence with the Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Government of Canada has recently launched the new Canada Digital Adoption Program to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt new digital tool and improve their online presence. The program offers two streams:
- Grow Your Business Online: Apply for a micro-grant and access e-commerce advisors to help you go digital and take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.
- Boost Your Business Technology: Apply for a grant to help you develop a digital plan, and leverage funded work placements to help with your digital transformation.
Calling All Students Interested in Owning a Business!
Do you know a student interested in entrepreneurship? Each summer, in partnership with the Government of Ontario, the York Small Business Enterprise Centre administers its Summer Company program. The program is designed to foster and develop the entrepreneurial spirit in students between the ages of 15 to 29, and who are registered to return to school full-time in September 2022. All that’s required is a good idea, commitment and hard work. In return, students receive:
- Hands-on training and skills development
- Coaching and guidance
- Mentorship to help develop and launch a business over the summer
- Opportunity to receive financial support of up to $3,000
Chocolate Specialty Store, Cocoa 40, Opening on Main Street Newmarket
Get your sweet tooth ready — there’s a new name coming to Main Street! Cocoa 40 is opening its first ever retail location there and for owner Stefania Pede it’s come sooner than she expected. “It’s a fantastic location. I’ve always loved Main Street Newmarket and the community feel and so I always thought that would be the ideal spot to be in,” she said. READ MORE
Want more small business news? Subscribe to the Small Business E-Newsletter
YORK REGION ECONOMIC DATA
Unemployment Rates (%)*
*Statistics Canada, Labour Force Characteristics, 3-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality
CMA – Census Metropolitan Area
York Region | 2021 Census Release Report | Population and Dwelling Counts
2021 Canadian Census data has recently been released and the York Region Population and Dwelling Counts is the first data set available. Additional data sets will become available later this year. READ MORE
BUSINESS EVENTS & OTHER INFORMATION
A Selection of Upcoming Business Events:
03/22 | Founder Fundamentals – Leadership & Team Building | YSpace
03/29 | E-Commerce 101: What, Why & How | Digital Main Street
03/31 | Secure Funding For Hiring & Training | Mentor Works
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.