Selwyn wants quick delivery of recovery grants

Councillors clarify rules for program offering grants of up to $2,500

Selwyn Township council members further discussed the COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery strategy for township businesses during council’s Tuesday night meeting.

Businesses suffering as a direct result of the pandemic will be able to apply for a grant up to $2,500 through the township’s financial relief program.

The grants are aimed at aiding businesses with costs of personal protective equipment and safety measures, such as floor markings, signage, plastic glass screens and sanitizing stations, as well as additional costs for businesses to implement online sales and expand their online presence.

Ennismore Ward Coun. Donna Ballantyne told council the criteria for business eligibility was too time consuming for business owners now trying to reopen promptly after the Ontario government announced Monday that more reopenings would be allowed on Friday.

“Our general intent was to make things easier for them and to get some money into their hands as quickly as possible, especially the ones who have been totally closed,” Ballantyne said.

Ballantyne proposed an

amendment for eligibility for the grants, which all council members agreed upon.

To qualify for the grant, businesses must be physically located within the township and established prior to Jan. 1, 2020.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, businesses must have been solvent, viable and not declared bankrupt to qualify.

Eligible businesses cannot be a franchise or a subsidiary of a larger corporation where financial support can be provided by the parent company or trust fund.

Further, the business must be currently — and expected to continue to be — negatively financially impacted due to the pandemic.

“I believe that the statement of attestation covers all the items and criteria for eligibility, but makes it a simpler process and a faster one,” Ballantyne said.

Deputy Mayor Sherry Senis said the attestation will ease the ability to apply for the grant.

“They always say the devil’s in the details and this is one time where it’s no exception. I don’t think it’s the time to make things difficult for business owners; I don’t think this was ever council’s intent,” she said. “Every business has been affected by the pandemic and they had to make themselves COVID-ready.”

Applications for the grant will be accepted until Aug. 31. Visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/home/covid19/.

Funded by the Government of Canada/Financé par le Gouvernement du Canada.