Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and it’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your business. We know that for business this is a difficult time, the information you need to run your business changes rapidly, and it can be hard to keep track and make sense of it all. Local businesses are facing immediate challenges, or closures, and are worrying about how the situation will continue to evolve. During these critical times, it’s important to slow down, be thoughtful and proceed with a plan that is going to stabilize your business in the long-term. Amid this uncertainty, we want to be clear. We are here to support you.

“Business owners are having to navigate a very uncertain future right now and it’s not a one size fits all impact on local business,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “As efforts ramp up to keep COVID-19 from spreading, industry works to achieve business continuity while focusing on the health and safety of their employees. It’s no simple task.  As we collectively work through this challenging period together, we would like to emphasize that the Economic Development and Tourism Division in Haldimand County continue to be available via phone and email to discuss how ongoing Provincial and Federal announcements may apply to your individual business situation.”

In order to relieve some of the pressure on small businesses, we are gathering the information you need about government services and support in Ontario and putting them in one convenient location. Information is updated daily on the BusinessHaldimand.ca Covid-19 Business Information & Resources page, and is aimed at highlighting resources that may apply to businesses and key sectors in our community. Additionally the Economic Development & Tourism Newsletter, provides key updates direct to your inbox, to sign up visit dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/economic-development-news/.

Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism Division continues to work collaboratively with industry associations, provincial governments, and local businesses to provide input, inform discussions and collect information that can assist business owners in rural communities through these difficult times.  We are calling on all local businesses to provide us insights into how the situation has directly impacted your operations. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFZT9P7 and its responses will be used to detail the impacts that COVID-19 is having on our local business community. The survey will continue to be circulated every few weeks to gain insight into the longer-term impacts.

Even during these challenging times, local businesses in Haldimand County are continually showing their resilience. Finding ways to support those in need in our communities, re-tooling to produce much needed supplies, and engaging their customers in new and innovative ways. If your business is one of those companies that has been able to introduce modifications to your operations that keep you safely open, a new product/service you have created to continue operating your business, or your operation is helping support the needs of the medical community, we want to hear from you. Send your good news to opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca so we can share the good work you are doing with our community.

For those who live in our community, we encourage you to consider ways to support our local small businesses, purchase products online, share their special offers, and help them boost their online reach. Remember to stay home, wash your hands and support local whenever you can!

Economic Development and Tourism staff are available to provide you with ongoing support, advice and resources – contact us by phone 905-318-5932 or email opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca.