Applications open for eligible small businesses in tourism and travel industries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2021
SIMCOE ― The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible businesses struggling to recover from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100 million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.
“Small tourism and travel businesses are a crucial and valued part of any community, especially here in Haldimand-Norfolk,” said Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk. “The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant will support tourism businesses across the province recover and rebuild, and help them as they return to contributing to healthy and vibrant communities.”
“Prior to the pandemic, Ontario’s tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported more than 400,000 jobs across the province,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “Our government is working with small businesses to overcome the challenges of the past year – through programs like the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant – and help the tourism industry reclaim its place as an economic powerhouse and key job creator in our province.”
This grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as travel agents, hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts. To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.
“We know that tourism businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, as people and employers follow the necessary public health measures to keep people safe,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. “That’s why our 2021 Budget included funding for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant that will provide direct one-time payments to help thousands of businesses in Ontario.”
“Small businesses in Ontario’s tourism sector create jobs for families and economic growth for communities,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “With this grant, we’re supporting people, businesses, and communities across this province, so we can make it through these tough times together and come back stronger than ever.”
Small business owners can use the grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business. Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021.
“We are ready to deliver payments to the tourism businesses that have faced revenue loss, building on fee relief provided to travel agents and wholesalers earlier in the pandemic,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “This substantial grant will support their bottom line and help them keep Ontarians safe until we can once again enjoy travel with friends and family.”
Eligible business owners can apply for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, as well as support to help with the cost of property taxes and energy bills online. Visit Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport for further eligibility details and to apply.
QUICK FACTS
- For information on eligibilty and how to apply: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs
- Tourism‐related industries experienced a total combined loss of 141,000 jobs between February 2020 and April 2021.
- The 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect the provincial economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.
- The new Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, which provides $100 million to help small businesses recover from the pandemic, is part of Ontario’s 2021 budget.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy
Learn more about supports for businesses during COVID-19 at Ontario.ca/businesshelp
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrettt@pc.ola.org