Introduces small business grants and dedicated business support hotline

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill is helping local business owners look to the future with the launch of two important parts of the Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan, in collaboration with the Richmond Hill Board of Trade.

The Small Business Recovery Grant Program offers $5000 micro-grants to help small businesses implement recovery plans. Small businesses represent more than 80% of businesses in Richmond Hill and supporting them drives the local economy and provides jobs for residents. Funding for the program is provided by York Region and the province of Ontario.

Along with the grants, the new program includes free technology training provided by General Assembly, an education organization that teaches practical technology skills to entrepreneurs and business professionals around the world. Combining micro-grants with digital literacy through courses such as email marketing, search engine optimization, social media and analytics will ensure local businesses can adapt to the new business landscape. 

Visit RichmondHill.ca/RecoveryGrants for eligibility requirements and to apply for the program.

For businesses looking for additional support, Richmond Hill has launched a dedicated business support hotline in collaboration with the Richmond Hill Board of Trade. Through the hotline, business owners will receive help to access support, reopening and recovery programs offered by all levels of government.

From Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., local business owners are encouraged to call 905-771-5558 to access support. The business support hotline will be in effect until the end of 2020. 

The Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan outlines 10 actions the City is taking to help Richmond Hill businesses thrive in the post-pandemic environment. Actions include:

• allowing restaurants and cafés to create or expand outdoor patio space with a Temporary Use By-law
• providing one-on-one support through more than 400 consultations with the local business community
• launching ShopHere in partnership with Digitalmainstreet.ca to help businesses optimize their online platform

Quotes

“The safety and well-being of our residents, business owners and community as a whole is always the number one priority and well-being includes access to services and jobs that our local economy provide. I’m proud of the work we’re doing to support the local economy and by extension, our Richmond Hill community.”   - Mayor Dave Barrow

“As the global pandemic has shown us, digital literacy and online platforms are crucial for all modern businesses. Richmond Hill’s Small Business Recovery Grant Program, along with many of the other actions in our Recover Richmond Hill Action Plan, will help our business owners navigate the new realities of business success.”     - Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, Chair, Recover Richmond Hill Task Force and Chair, Richmond Hill Economic Development Committee

"We are excited to work alongside the City of Richmond Hill to provide free, high-quality remote skills training through our learntogether.biz learning path. Courses in data analytics, online business strategy and digital marketing will help small businesses to maximize their competitive edge during COVID-19."     - Joshua Doner, Program Manager at General Assembly

Additional Links

RichmondHill.ca/HelpforBusinesses
RichmondHill.ca/Patios
RichmondHill.ca/RecoveryGrants
General Assembly: GA.co

Media Contact

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