The Ontario government has now opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. This program is designed to help small businesses that were required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincial shutdown that came into effect on December 26, 2020.
The grant provides eligible businesses anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 of funding to help cover the expected decrease in revenue as a result of the shutdown.
To be eligible for the program, a small business must:
- be required to close or restrict services subject to the Provincial shutdown effective 12:01a. m. on December 26;
- have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and
- have experienced a minimum of 20% decline in revenue when comparing April 2020 to April 2019 revenues. New businesses established since April 2019 are also eligible provided they meet other eligibility criteria.
Additional details:
- A list of eligible businesses can be found below in Appendix A;
- Businesses that are not eligible include those that were already required to close prior to the introduction of modified Stage 2 measures on October 10, 2020, and essential business permitted to operate with capacity restrictions;
- Small businesses not in operation in April 2019 will be able to select alternative months for comparing revenue decline through the application portal.
Application:
- Online through the webpage below;
- You will need your business and banking information available in order to apply;
- Deadline of March 31, 2021.
Where to apply: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs
Guide: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/assets/guide.pdf
Appendix A
Only businesses from the following list are eligible to apply for funding under this program:
- before- and after- school programs
- campgrounds
- cannabis retail stores
- cell phone and computer providers & repairs
- community centres and multi-purpose facilities
- conference centres and convention centres
- day camps for children
- domestic services
- drive-in cinemas
- driving instruction
- facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
- garden centres
- hardware stores (including Big Box stores) required to close for in-person shopping
- in person teaching and instruction
- media industries including film and television production (excluding radio/television broadcasting)
- meeting or event space
- museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attraction
- outdoor markets (excluding grocery)
- outdoor sports and recreation facilities
- performing arts and cinemas
- personal care services relating to the hair or body (excluding oxygen bars)
- personal services
- pet/animal food and services
- photography services
- racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
- rental and leasing services (including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental)
- restaurants and bars
- retail required to close for in-person shopping
- safety, medical and assistive devices retail (excluding pharmacies)
- shopping malls
- ski hills
- tour and guide services
- vehicle and equipment repair services
- veterinary services