COVID-19 Information

Support Programs for Our Local Businesses

MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD COUNCIL APPROVES RELIEF MEASURES TO HELP EASE FINANCIAL PRESSURES DUE TO CHALLENGES FROM COVID-19:
- Waived late payment fees and penalties for residents and businesses connected to the water/wastewater system until the end of July 2020.
- Revisited the 2020 budget and reduced the previously approved tax increase of 3.13% down to 0.44% for all ratepayers – residential and commercial.
- Changed water and wastewater billing classes, reducing utility rates for businesses by applying residential rates to all commercial users in response to the pandemic.

SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS & RESOURCES FROM THE VILLAGE OF MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD:
- January 20, 2022 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above fro New Supports for Businesses, Workers and Families and a bit about our Local Housing Market
- January 6, 2022 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for Local Health Unit Update/Changes for Employers and Ontario Antigen Screening Program
- May 18, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for Small Business Supports, Survey, Workshop and Advisory Service
- April 19, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for News from LGL District Health Unit, Provincial Government and Business Support
- February 16, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for Region Goes Green-Prevent, DMS Program Extended and More Info for Small Businesses
- February 2, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for congratulations to local grant recipients and more information for Small Businesses
- January 25, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for information about new government funding programs to help local Small Businesses
- January 11, 2021 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for information for local businesses including Digital Service Squad members available and new Government Funded Programs to help Local Businesses
- December 17, 2020 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for information for local businesses from the Village of Merrickville-Wolford, including Small Business Updates, Awards, Information on government programs and more.
- October 10, 2020 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for information for local businesses from the Village of Merrickville-Wolford, including government announcements, digital main street supports, farm & food business workshops and more…
- July 29, 2020 email from CAO Doug Robertson
  - Click above for information for local businesses from the Village of Merrickville-Wolford, including “Support Small, Support Local” promotional initiatives, Public Washrooms now open in the Village, Digital Main Street program expansion, OMAFRA Food Exporting seminars and more.
- July 14, 2020 - Health Unit Posters for Businesses to Download and Use. As more businesses re-open, here are a few posters on COVID-19 safety measures:
- Shopping Local is a great way to support our small businesses – retailers, service providers, artists, makers, restaurants, agri-food producers and manufacturers
  - On June 25/20, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) launched a campaign to boost ‘shop local’ efforts. Here are some ways we can all join in and help out:
    - Use your social media to encourage and challenge your followers to “shop local” and visit the CFIB website to take the shop local challenge: http://www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca/
    - Post pictures and recommend local businesses on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #SmallBusinessEveryDay and ask others to do the same
    - Print, display and distribute copies of these CFIB posters, which thank customers for shopping locally. You can download the posters at http://www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca/business/#poster
    - More information on the CFIB and their Small Business Every Day campaign can be found here: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/media/news-releases/smallbusinesseverydaycampaign-launched-emphasize-customers-are-critical-0
  - On June 30/20, to celebrate International Small Business Week, the Ontario government launched the "Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" campaign, encouraging Ontarians to support their local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so. Ways we can all join in and help out:
    - Take a photo or video holding a Shop Local! Shop Safe! #ShopLocalON sign (click here for a sign)
    - Post on social media
    - For more details visit: https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2020/06/ontario-encourages-support-of-localsmall-businesses.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p
  - June 30, 2020 email from CAO Doug Robertson
    - Click above for information on programs for local businesses from the Village of Merrickville-Wolford, including Shop Local, Digital Main Street & Producer Programs
    - June 19, 2020 update from the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit:
      - Checklist for Food Premises Operating Patios
  - June 13, 2020 Email - message from Chief Administrative Officer, Doug Robertson
  - June 08, 2020 Email - message from Mayor, Doug Struthers and Chief Administrative Officer, Doug Robertson
  - Email attachments:
    - Public Health Guidance for Businesses in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark
    - Workplace Safety & Prevention Services: Guidance on Health and Safety for Curbside Pickup and Delivery Services during COVID-19
    - Document summarizing tools and resources for local businesses, highlighting government supports, financial relief measures, no interest loans, health and safety guidelines for reopening, and business support organizations available to help businesses through this time of COVID-19, click here. If you have any questions or would like more information about programs and resources for your business, please feel free to contact our economic development officer, Stacie Lloyd, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEW DIGITAL MAIN STREET PROGRAMS: As part of a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, Digital Main Street announced three new programs to help small businesses create and enhance their online presence and reach more customers:
- ShopHERE provides small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to start selling online right away;
- Ontario Grants Program provides main street businesses with $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants; and
- Future Proofing Main Street assists businesses with identifying new markets, pivoting their business model, and developing and implementing a digital transformation plan.
- Details on all three programs can be found at https://digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/.

BUSINESSES RE-OPENING FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP, WITH STRICT SAFETY GUIDELINES: As the Ontario government gradually loosens restrictions for businesses, allowing more businesses to open to the public, and allows curbside pickup and delivery, it is important for businesses, community members and visitors to follow public health measures and workplace safety guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Here are a few resources to assist businesses with health and safety measures during this time of reopening:, and safe curbside pickup and delivery services:
- Ontario announces additional workplaces that can reopen: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/ontario-announces-additional-workplaces-that-can-reopen.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=o
- Businesses should review the more than 60 sector-specific guidelines from Ontario’s Health and Safety Associations: https://www.news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/health-and-safety-association-guidance-documents-for-workplaces-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
  - Includes guideline for curbside pickup and delivery services released by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development https://www.wsps.ca/WSPS/media/Site/Resources/Downloads/covid-19-delivery-service-health-and-safety-guidance.pdf?ext=.pdf and guidance for cashiers: https://www.wsps.ca/WSPS/media/Site/Resources/Downloads/covid-19-cashiers-health-and-safety-guidance.pdf?ext=.pdf
- Our Public Health unit has created guidelines and posters to help businesses stay safe through the re-opening. Please see Leeds Grenville & Lanark Public Health Unit Guidance for Businesses https://healthunit.org/covid-19-businesses/
- A list of PPE suppliers throughout Leeds Grenville can be found here, under Health and Safety, in addition to many business resources: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/contacts-news-events/covid-19.aspx

RISK MITIGATION TOOL FOR WORKPLACES/BUSINESSES OPERATING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/risk-informed-decision-making-workplaces-businesses-covid-19-pandemic.html
- See many other related links shared by our District Health Unit, here: https://www.merrickville-wolford.ca/covid-19-information#helpful-links

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LOCAL BUSINESSES - SURVEY RESULTS IN:
- Council received the results of a recent Business Survey completed by Merrickville-Wolford businesses. The survey was conducted in partnership with the United Counties of Leeds Grenville Economic Development Department and regional business support organizations. Village staff have reviewed all responses and assisted local businesses regarding government relief programs and resources. Thanks to all businesses that completed the survey! The results are available here: http://www.merrickville-wolford.ca/business-help.

FULL UPDATED LIST OF SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES AND RELIEF PROGRAMS:
- For a regularly updated listing of small business resources and government support and relief programs, please see and subscribe to the United Counties of Leeds Grenville Economic Development Covid-19 page: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/contacts-news-events/covid-19.aspx

Emergency Response Plan