🚦 Easing into a new phase 🚦
Last Thursday, Feb 17, Ontario eased COVID-19 public health measures, which included removing capacity limits for restaurants, gyms, and retail stores; decreasing social gathering limits and as of March 1, lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Wearing of masks will remain mandatory.
Cartoon by Zoe Si
This is expected to mean some big (long-awaited) changes for Dufferin County's business community, and we are here for it with new initiatives, updates and funding to help you hit the ground running.
Here are just a few of the big ones:
Finally, we've been so impressed with the social media game in our business community, we've introduced a new section, "Prize Post," to give kudos to Dufferin County businesses sharing thoughtful & creative content on social media. This issue, the honour goes to #TheDigitalStoryteller.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email us at ecdev@dufferincounty.ca!
Take good care,
Your Dufferin County Development & Tourism Team
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Rapid tests available once again with DBOT
After a period of scarcity, COVID-19 rapid tests are available once again via the Dufferin Board of Trade. To obtain your test, complete the PASP Agreement (here), and book a test pickup time via DBOT's online system (here).
A Covid-19 rapid screening test can be performed anywhere (i.e. at your workplace or home!) and does not require shipping a specimen to a lab for processing. It takes approximately 15 minutes to see the results. Frequent testing increases the chances of early identification of cases.
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ON enhances supports for Black entrepreneurs
The Ontario government is investing an additional $14 million in the Black Youth Action Plan to help youth access employment opportunities and career-building resources. The funding will be used to create a new economic empowerment program that will help community organizations and Black-led businesses create local projects that provide the skills youth need to find jobs in high-growth sectors.
Community organizations and businesses can apply for funding under the Career Launch initiative beginning February 23. Information is available here.
Applications for the Career Advance initiative and Sector Innovation Networks will open on March 9 and March 23, respectively.
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ON safe employers receive up to $1.5b rebate
Ontario's safe employers are receiving a rebate of up to $1.5 billion as Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) surplus funds are returned for the first time.
This rebate will give 300,000 businesses back approximately 30 per cent of their annual premium payments, helping create new jobs and allowing for bigger paycheques for workers.
The surplus distribution will only be provided to safe employers, who will receive their rebates starting in April. For a business with 80 to 125 employees, this could mean receiving $28,000 to reinvest in their business and workers.
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ON expands critical relief for tourism sector
The Ontario government is further expanding over $340,000 in critical financial support for owners and operators of amusement devices and ski lifts and protecting jobs in the travel and tourism sectors.
Through the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), the government is reducing permit and licence fees by 75 percent for 163 businesses operating almost 1,000 devices across Ontario until the end of 2022, while ensuring strong public safety standards are maintained.
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- Local Lockdown Program: Eligibility would continue to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more; and the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement would remain at 25%. Eligible employers would receive wage and rent subsidies from 25% up to a maximum of 75%, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: Eligibility would continue to include workers in regions where capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more are in place. This benefit provides $300 a week in income support to eligible workers affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown order, and who are either unable to work or have lost 50% or more of their income as a result.
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- Where will future residents live?
- What types of houses will be built?
- Where will people work?
- How will we move around the County?
- How will we protect our agricultural areas and natural features?
We are expecting to grow to 95,000 in population and 39,000 in jobs by 2051, according to the growth forecast release by the Province. One key element of this review process is to engage with people in our community, so we want to hear from you.
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Applications now open for ON Small Business Relief Grant (OSBRG)
Small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen plan are now able to apply for the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant.
Eligible businesses are able to apply for the program as of February 9, 2022, until March 11, 2022, to receive a grant of $10,000.
The application portal will be open to:
• Newly established businesses
• Businesses that may not have previously applied to the Ontario Small Business Support Grant in 2021
• Businesses that were previously deemed ineligible but are now eligible.
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New program for Black "foodprepreneurs"
If you are a Black "foodpreneur" in Dufferin and are a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident then the Start and Scale Advisor-Led Support Paths project is for you!
Start Path:
The purpose of the the Start Path is provide Participants with a foundational business structure and prototype to launch their food product. The Path goal is to ensure Participants will be able to begin entering retail spaces and making revenue.
Apply for the Start Path if you are pre-revenue and you do not yet have a prototype for your brand new product. This Path is for new food entrepreneurs who have little to no food business knowledge.
Scale Path:
The purpose of the Scale Path is provide Participants with product development guidance to scale their recipe, packaging, product science, business and marketing strategy. The Path goal is to support the Participants’ ability to expand distribution, make decisions about co-packing and become investment ready.
Apply for the Scale Path if you already have a food product in the market, but you need support to reach your next level of growth.
Cohort 2 applications are now open, and due February 28, 2022 at 11:59PM.
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Attracting Talent via a Job Posting
📅 Feb 23, 1-2PM 📍 Online
In this fireside chat, learn how to craft job postings that are clear & concise, tell your small business' unique story, and attract the right candidates.
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Health & Safety Excellence
📅 Feb 25, 3-4PM 📍 Online
Keeping your team and customers safe and healthy at work is good for business with the Health and Safety Excellence program.
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Forks up for Canadian Agriculture!
This Feb 22 is Canada's Agriculture Day! We're proud to raise our forks for our local farmers every day, and in the spirit of #CdnAgDay, we're featuring Dufferin County farms all week long via Instagram.
This Tuesday, celebrate Canadian agriculture and food both online and with friends, family and co-workers, and let everyone know how you feel about this awesome industry.
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Farmers for Climate Solutions publishes Equity Framework
This comprehensive document lays the groundwork for FCS’s ongoing work in this area, through concrete recommendations to advance equity internally, and across their policy and program development.
In learning directly from equity-deserving farmers, the authors of the Framework found that the most common barriers faced include access to information, financing, and land. This knowledge forms the foundation of Farmers for Climate Solutions’ ongoing commitment to fostering greater inclusion of a diversity of people in agriculture.
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New SeedHeads episodes podcast
Two new episodes of the SeedHeads podcast are now available!
This cross-pollinating podcast features Canadian seed heroes as they tell their stories, share their how-to tips, and talk about the seeds they love.
The latest two episodes reflect on intergenerational knowledge, gender roles in agriculture, the challenge of sourcing adapted seeds and varieties for so-called emerging crops and the potential of participatory plant breeding.
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Investors needed on Meat Processing Project
inDufferin is continuing to work hard on the Meat Processing Project, speaking with the best investors and business partners around to help make this project a “go."
Next up is a business plan, which will outline the details of the project to potential investors.
We will provide more updates as this project keeps developing. In the meantime, know that we are busy behind the scenes pulling all the pieces together -- and would love to speak to any producers who might be interested in participating.
Tell everyone you know about this project, and help us beef up Dufferin's local meat supply in 2022!
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BIPOC Growers Network Meet-Up
📅 Feb 24, 12-1PM 📍 Online
Are you a racialized ecological farmer or aspiring farmer? Join us for a friendly meetup to kick off the beginning of the growing season and connect with fellow Black, Indigenous and other farmers of colour.
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Wellington Soil Webinar
📅 Mar 4, 1-3PM 📍 Online
Featuring internationally recognized farmer and author Gary Zimmer in conversation with local experts Janet Harrop and Jonathan Zettler, discussing soil health, livestock nutrition and regenerative agriculture
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Make local food sourcing work for you
Food tourism is one of the fastest growing forms of tourism and a powerful driver for sustainable economic development in Ontario. Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with OTEC, has announced the launch of a brand new, free certificate training program called "Make Local Sourcing Work For You."
This course is for anyone who is interested in growing food tourism in Ontario including but not limited to employees and front-line staff (servers, cooks, chefs, general managers, tour guides, etc.) at tourism business that have some form of foodservice operation or have the potential to enhance their tourism product or service by adding a culinary component.
Learn how leveraging local sourcing, storytelling and partnerships can help grow your business and attract more people.
This is a self-paced eLearning Course divided into five (5) modules and offered free for a limited time!
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Dufferin County Outdoor Recreation Plan
This year, the County of Dufferin is embarking on an extensive public consultation of the Recreational Use Policy for the Dufferin County Forest. The goal is to have a broader Recreation Plan for both the County Forest and the County-owned Rail Trail, with consideration for the best ways to use these spaces as well as what services and facilities (signs, parking lots, electric vehicle charging stations, portable toilets, picnic shelters, interpretive features, public and volunteer engagement) to implement in the future.
For now, we are looking for your great ideas! What does your ideal County Forest look like? When you picture the Rail Trail, what do you see?
Share your ideas here and answer a quick survey to help this process get started. You can also comment and vote on ideas that have already been submitted.
Your input will be used to produce a draft recreation plan that will be subject to public review and more specific feedback.
Ideas are due by April 22, 2022 and participants have a chance to win 1 of 3 $50 gift cards to an independent business of their choice in Dufferin County.
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Know your target audiences webinars
Destination Ontario and Environics Analytics analyzed 16 Ontario tourism product categories to understand the types of Domestic (Ontario) consumers that frequent these different experiences across the province. Over two sessions, they will share these findings to better equip tourism businesses/operators to plan and target current and potential new, local and non-local audiences.
In these sessions, learn how to:
• Target the right audience with the right tourism products and experiences.
• Identify the right platforms and advertising channels to reach that audience.
• Understand the unique attributes of potential high-value audiences.
Session 1: Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Products and experiences covered:
• ATVing
• Angling
• Major & Minor League Sports
• Indigenous Experiences
• Francophone Experiences
• Attractions & Theme Parks
• Resorts
• Spas & Retreats
Session 2: Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Products and experiences covered:
• Theatre & Film
• Museums & Heritage Sites, Science & Education
• Art Galleries
• Opera, Ballet & Symphony
• Foodie Destinations, Food Trails & Food Festivals
• Wine Regions
• Breweries, Cideries & Distilleries
• Farmers’ Markets
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What's your new tourism idea?
Applications are open for the 2nd edition of the Skode Program, an initiative to spark new Indigenous tourism ideas and experiences that authentically represent, celebrate and promote Indigenous culture, heritage, language, cuisine and communities in Ontario!
The program matches selected applicants with a mentor and provides a $5,000 non-repayable contribution to advance their new tourism ideas to the next level of development. In Anishinaabemowin, Skode means fire, and is pronounced Shkoh-deh. Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations are encouraged to apply and share the fire within their hearts.
Register for Tuesday, February 22's Info Session at 5:00pm.
Apply by March 4.
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Ontario Parks accepting proposals for innovative recreation ideas & experiences
Ontario Parks is inviting private, public and Indigenous businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, and entrepreneurs to share their most innovative ideas for new recreation experiences.
Through this initiative, candidates will have the possibility of operating their business or service at provincial parks, with the goal of generating revenue for itself and for the use and care of Ontario Parks. The ideas with the highest potential may receive seed funding during future procurement.
The proposed activities and services should bring new visitors, particularly in non-peak seasons and in parks that have capacity to accept more visitors to avoid overcrowding. Proposals must also be consistent with applicable provincial legislation and individual park management plans, which specify what activities can take place within a provincial park while keeping the park’s ecology and environment protected.
Examples could include, but are not limited to:
- a packaged park experience that offers a learning hike with a gourmet picnic
- an artisan offering classes in a park
- a fun experience or service for beach goers, hikers or visitors interested in plant and animal life
- an innovative solution that would improve accessibility of parks
Visit the Ontario Tenders Portal and search under “current opportunities” to learn more about the Request for Information for Innovation Recreation Experiences and Services at Ontario Parks.
Submission deadline is Friday, March 4, 2022 at 11:00am.
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11 Ways to Increase Instagram Engagement in 2022
Want to increase your Instagram engagement in 2022? From creating memes to hosting giveaways — there are tons of tactics to engage with your community and see your metrics skyrocket. Later's blog digs into the details with 11 tried-and-tested ways to increase your Instagram engagement in 2022.
Check it out here.
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A conversation with Ontario's Chief Prevention Officer
In a recent conversation with eNews, Chief Prevention Officer Dr. Moody explained that Prevention Works builds on past successes - the accomplishments of the previous 5-year strategy, as well as extensive research and consultation with stakeholders - to map out a safer and more productive future for Ontario workplaces.
Check it out here
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This issue's Prize Post goes to Tristan Barrocks {#TheDigitalStoryteller}, a Shelburne-based creative who shares cool content production and technical tips on his YouTube and Instagram pages.
Last week, Tristan shared poignant observations about working with Black creators and telling Black stories outside of Black History Month.
As this Black History Month draws to a close, this is great food for thought for any business owners looking to do better with their brand and marketing all year long.
Check out Tristan's IG page here, and visit his website here.
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