Task force will include local business leaders and focus on economic recovery

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill is looking to accelerate economic recovery to address the downturn and uncertainty created by COVID-19. A key step is Council’s creation of the Recover Richmond Hill Task Force at its online April 22 meeting. The role of the Task Force is to recommend measures that assist local businesses to reopen, retool and recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Task Force will also make recommendations that leverage and advocate for regional, provincial and federal government funding to support Richmond Hill businesses.

The Recover Richmond Hill Task Force includes three members of Council – Ward 2 Councillor Tom Muench, Ward 4 Councillor David West and Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan. It will also include one member each from the Richmond Hill Board of Trade (RHBOT), the Richmond Hill Village Business Improvement Association (BIA) and the Markham Richmond Hill and Vaughan Chinese Business Association (MRVCBA), along with a York Region Economic Development representative. The city is partnering with the local business associations to ensure all businesses are part of Richmond Hill’s recovery.

The Recover Richmond Hill Task Force will lead the next phase of the City’s economic development response to COVID-19 that will be focused on economic recovery. This will build on the ongoing work with local business to help them navigate closures as well as produce products and services needed to fight the pandemic. Multiple Richmond Hill businesses are pivoting their production to medical supplies needed to fight COVID-19 and staff have helped them to connect to resources and with federal and provincial representatives to receive the needed approvals. The City has also been helping retailers and restaurants to transition to online and takeout sales to help minimize the impact on local business.

All economic development seminars have moved online, including new, COVID-19-relevant topics. On April 23, the Small Business Enterprise Centre offers the webinar: Doing Business with the Government of Canada – COVID-19 Procurement Process. A representative from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Services and Procurement Canada will explain the process as well as what products may be suitable in the fight against COVID-19. Visit RichmondHill.ca/SBECwebinar to register.

Richmond Hill staff have had more than 200 phone and video conference consultations offering individual support to the business community and have been actively engaged with the local business associations. Business support resources are shared online at RichmondHill.ca/BusinessHelp as well as a list of local Businesses Making a Difference as part of the community’s response to COVID-19. If you are a local business that is making a difference during these challenging times, reach out to ecdev@richmondhill.ca to share your story.

For information and updates on City services and facilities, visit RichmondHill.ca/COVID19 or follow us on Twitter @myRichmondHill. Follow business news on Twitter at @RH_EcDev.

Quotes

“During this difficult time I’ve been very proud – but not surprised – at how many Richmond Hill businesses are stepping up to be part of the fight against COVID-19. While the fight is not yet won, we’re starting to look ahead to our economic recovery. Richmond Hill will once again have a robust and vibrant economy and the City, including the Recover Richmond Hill Task Force, will play its part in making that happen.”   – Dave Barrow, Mayor

Contact

Anthony Ierullo, Manager, Economic Innovation and Partnership, 905-771-6515, anthony.ierullo@richmondhill.ca