Richmond Hill Drives Economic Recovery Through Innovation

Plan focuses on entrepreneurship and partnerships to help local businesses thrive

RICHMOND HILL – At a July 8 meeting, Richmond Hill Council reaffirmed its support for local businesses and its drive to stimulate a quick economic recovery by endorsing the Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan.  The Plan outlines 10 actions the City is taking to help Richmond Hill businesses thrive in the post-pandemic environment.

Innovation and entrepreneurship feature prominently in the plan, which includes:

• Providing micro-grants of up to $5000 each to help small businesses implement recovery plans. The program runs in partnership with York Region and the province of Ontario.
• Launching a Municipal Business Innovation Contest and Innovation Showcase, providing small businesses an opportunity to partner with the City of Richmond Hill on innovative products and services.
• Creating a Local Innovation Centre to support entrepreneurs, incubate new businesses and accelerate business investment.
• Developing a Shop Local campaign including a Shop Safe Downtown program, in partnership with the Richmond Hill Board of Trade and the Village of Richmond Hill BIA to encourage residents to shop local and in the historic downtown

Richmond Hill Council passed a Temporary Use By-law to pave the way for local restaurants and cafés to create or expand outdoor patio space to welcome patrons back safely. Restaurateurs can visit RichmondHill.ca/Patios to learn how to quickly gain approval for their outdoor space.

Throughout the pandemic, staff have been providing one-on-one support through more than 350 consultations with the local business community and online resources. As part of the action plan, the City will also be establishing a business support hotline over the next few weeks to help connect businesses with reopening and recovery programs.

Quotes

“The City is 100% behind our local businesses as they adapt to the changing economy. We want and need our thousands of businesses to survive and thrive post COVID-19 so they can continue to provide tens of thousands of jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of our community. And as always, I personally encourage residents to support our local businesses and restaurants – as I do – to help keep Richmond Hill’s economy moving.”   - Mayor Dave Barrow

“As Chair of the Recover Richmond Hill Task Force, I have witnessed how the City, our partners in the business associations and our representatives from other levels of government are all working together toward a singular goal, to support our local businesses. I look forward to the actions of our Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan to drive recovery and renewal of our local economy.”   - Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, Chair, Recover Richmond Hill Task Force and Chair, Richmond Hill Economic Development Committee

Additional Links

RichmondHill.ca/HelpforBusinesses

Media Contact

Libbi Hood, Communications Advisor, 905-747-6320, libbi.hood@richmondhill.ca