Ontario’s main street businesses can now apply for a grant of up to $1,000 to help cover the cost of personal protection equipment.
The grant is part of the $60 million Main Street Relief Grant, designed to help alleviate some of the PPE costs needed to help small businesses safely remain open.
“Main street businesses all over this province have gone above and beyond to serve the people of Ontario,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “With this new grant, they’ll be able to recover some of those costs, so that they can take the next steps to rehire, recover and rebuild better than ever.”
The province defines a “main street business” as eligible small businesses must have two to nine employees and be in the retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, and personal laundry services sectors to apply.
The grant is one of the features of Ontario’s Main Street Recovery Plan (PDF), which sets out proposed legislation, funding programs, and service to help main street businesses in areas impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.
“Local small businesses are the engine of our economy and vital to our recovery from COVID-19 and the future prosperity of our province,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “The Main Street Relief Grant is just one example of how our government is supporting job creators in Niagara and across the province.”
Proof of cost must be submitted by a business for PPE purchased since March 17, 2020 to receive the grant.
Businesses can apply for this program, as well as property tax and energy bill rebates here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs.