Parry Sound-area businesses share $840K from province to adapt to COVID-19
The Ontario government is providing $840,000 to help 43 businesses adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines in the Parry Sound region.
In a news release Wednesday, the province said the funding is being delivered through the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) and will support building renovations, installation of safety equipment and the purchase of personal protective equipment.
"This program has made the difference for many small businesses across the Parry Sound District," Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, said in the release.
"NORP has enabled businesses to stay in business and make necessary upgrades to protect their customers and employees."
NORP was established as a short-term program to help businesses across Northern Ontario adjust to the impacts of COVID-19. Applications were accepted until Nov. 20, 2020, and a total of 1,384 businesses have received funding. A full list of recipients can be found here.
"This funding represents a significant and welcome boost for Parry Sound area businesses," Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, said in the release.
"Our government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with small and medium businesses, and we will continue to find solutions to support communities, businesses, and families."
Recipients include Zak's, a retail shop in Sundridge, to purchase personal protective equipment, develop a fully functional custom website and email marketing program, and renovate the staff kitchen and washroom.
"The NORP funding received from the Ontario government has literally changed the way that Zak's Inc. has operated this year," owner Penny Stoker said.
"The business has been operational for 36 years and with the funding, we were able to build a fully operational custom website and email marketing program. Once again, without this grant, we don't believe we would have successfully completed this financial year."
Other recipients include:
• $25,000 for Glen Bernard Camp, an overnight summer camp for girls in Sundridge, to expand its facilities in order to accommodate social distancing.
• $25,000 for The Cutter's Edge Corp., a manufacturer and retailer of custom wood furniture, home décor, and fashion items in Burk's Falls, to help restructure its business operations and develop marketing strategies.
• $25,000 for Bearly Used Books Inc., a used bookstore in Parry Sound, to purchase personal protective equipment, restructure its business operations, create a new e-commerce website, and develop marketing strategies.
• $8,536 for Swift Canoe Company Inc., a manufacturer of hand-made, lightweight canoes, kayaks and pack boats in South River, to purchase personal protective equipment and install a customer service window.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.