Small business aid program now open for applications

The province is now taking applications from small businesses in need of help during the pandemic.

Earlier this month the province introduced the Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate, which will reimburse the costs of small businesses adapting to the pandemic. That includes making changes in how they use their physical space, installing new infrastructure to meet COVID-19 guidelines, and upgrading technology like websites to pivot to an online model of service provision.

Applications will be open until March 31, but only businesses with fewer than 100 employees that plan to stay open into the future and have seen their revenues drop by at least 30 per cent since last year will qualify. The province will cover up to half of eligible costs, with a maximum payment to the business of $5,000 per expenditure.

More details are available on the province’s web site.