Supporting local businesses during COVID-19
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The City offers programs, consultations, webinars and more to help throughout this challenging time
COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for small businesses. There to provide support and guidance continues to be the City of Vaughan’s Economic and Cultural Development team, which has pivoted to offer programs and services in new and safe ways since the beginning of the global pandemic. Here are the top five things local businesses and entrepreneurs need to know about its response.
1. Vaughan Business Resilience Plan
On June 23, 2020, the City launched the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan (PDF) as an immediate and long-term plan to help Vaughan’s business community build capacity to adapt to the post-COVID-19 world. Through this plan, the Economic and Cultural Development department helps businesses and the economy build resilience into key economic opportunities and strategic sectors like healthcare, supply-chain and manufacturing, and tourism; share Vaughan’s reimagined public spaces within physical distancing guidelines; and invite the community to experience Vaughan’s culture and arts.
During COVID-19, the City is committed to supporting and lifting up small businesses as much as possible. The voluntary Open for Business online directory, launched in conjunction with the By-law and Enforcement, Licensing and Permit Services department, includes businesses that are open or providing modified operations by phone, online, takeout or delivery in compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. Vaughan businesses interested in being included in the list must apply and can do so through this online form.
The City also launched a #ShopVaughanLocal campaign, which encourages residents to purchase goods sold from small, local businesses. This campaign is another effort to support local businesses during this challenging time. Residents are encouraged to order take-out or delivery from a local restaurant, buy gift cards, order from local businesses online and share local love with the #ShopVaughanLocal hashtag on social media.
2. Programs for small businesses
The City provides several programs to help businesses leverage technology to continue operations. The Activate!Vaughan Innovation Program connects high-potential entrepreneurs to market-driven opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders. The City will deliver five Activate!Vaughan creative pitch challenges by the end of 2022, each focused on a specific opportunity for innovation. For more information about this program, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/activatevaughan.
The Digital Boost: Vaughan Small Business Resiliency Program supports local and small business owners in finding new opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Participants receive mentorship and tailored training in areas such as: digital marketing skills and strategies, launching or improving an e-commerce store, developing new product lines or services, developing new revenue models, such as curbside pick-up or drop-shipping, using data to drive new business opportunities, and developing financial resiliency. For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/DigitalBoost.
The Starter Company Plus Program is offered through the support of the Government of Ontario and the City of Vaughan. Qualified applicants receive mentoring from successful local entrepreneurs, training tailored to their specific sector, advice services for business, access to business workshops and valuable networking opportunities, and even an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 in provincial funding. For further information about the program, complete the Starter Company Plus eligibility survey online.
Each year, the City of Vaughan offers the Summer Company program in association with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) to provide young entrepreneurs, ages 15-29, with a pipeline of tools, skills, connections and resources required to succeed. This year, four successful applicants were chosen to participate in this annual program virtually. The selected student ventures represent a number of industries including professional services, information and communications technology, and recreation. Participants also have the opportunity to receive up to $3,000 in provincial grant funding to start their own businesses. Throughout the summer, participants also join in Digital Boost workshops, meet with mentors through the Vaughan Business Café and have one-on-one business consultations with City staff.
3. Rent subsidy
Vaughan’s Economic and Cultural Development department provides easy-to-access links and information on many government funding opportunities for businesses, such as the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). This subsidy provides direct support of up to 65 per cent of eligible expenses to tenants and property owners for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. Qualifying organizations that are subject to a Lockdown and must shut their doors or significantly limit their activities under a public health order may be eligible for additional Lockdown support of 25 per cent of eligible expenses.
4. Webinars and seminars
Listen to valuable business tips and information from experts online. Vaughan’s Economic and Cultural Development department continually works with many partners to bring new and interesting webinars and virtual seminars on a variety of business topics, including networking, growing a business, digital sales and more. Webinars are in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, Niagara University, the York Region Business Enterprise Centre, the Ontario Government and many other well-known expert business organizations. For information and to register, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
The Vaughan Rising Podcast, produced by Economic and Cultural Development, promotes the resilience and creativity of businesses during COVID-19. While season one covered the city’s commercial real estate scene and mega-developments, season two will build on this momentum – addressing the major economic impact of COVID-19 and sharing how the Vaughan business community is responding to physical distancing restrictions in bold and innovative ways. The podcast is available for download on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher. For more information on the podcast, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/podcast.
The new Vaughan Rising Blog shares many of these stories found on the podcast, highlighting bold and innovative ways the Vaughan business community is demonstrating resilience and practical resources contributed by subject matter experts. New blogs will be posted most Tuesdays through to January 2021. For details, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/blog.
5. Advisory consultations
Need advice for getting a business off the ground? Maybe an obstacle is too difficult to work out alone? The Economic and Cultural Development team continues to offer advisory consultations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. To book a consultation, fill out the quick online form.
For more information on the Economic and Cultural Development department, its services and supports for businesses, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
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