The Township of Brock has set up a $150,000 Emergency Response Benefit to support local businesses. This fund will grant eligible businesses, who have seen a 30 per cent reduction in revenue, up to $5,000 and will be administered through South Lake Community Futures.
Council approved this program at its meeting held on Monday, May 25, 2020.
“As a result of the current pandemic which saw the mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses in Ontario close for two months, many throughout our community are experiencing financial strain and hardship,” said Mayor Debbie Bath-Hadden.
“Our local businesses are the heart of our community and we as a Council want to provide assistance to those businesses who are struggling to ensure they remain viable in our community. We are very pleased that South Lake has agreed to partner with us and administer this program on our behalf!”
The money for the Brock Emergency Response Benefit will come from savings from the 2020 Capital Roads Program due to tenders coming in under budgets. The funds will be given out as grants to qualifying local businesses with amounts ranging from $2,500 to a maximum of $5,000.
South Lake Community Futures has the experience and staff to review the applications and ensure the program is administered at arm’s length from the municipality. The Township has provided parameters to South Lake to help determine eligibility for the benefit.
Eligible businesses:
– Must be located in Brock;
– Must be a registered business (sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation where the applicant is the major shareholder);
– Must demonstrate a 30 per cent loss of revenue;
– Must have 2018 tax filing information complete; and,
– Demonstrate the ability to maintain operations for six months, prior to COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses not eligible include:
– Corporately owned franchises;
– Distributorships;
– Not-for-profit or charitable organizations;
– Multi-level marketing ventures; and,
– Businesses that are strictly conducted online.
The intake for the program will be June 1st – June 14th, 2020. The Application and additional information on the program will be available at southlakefutures.ca on June 1st.
