A call to further enhance business support programs went unanswered by city council on Monday, the same night it doubled tourism and community relief grant funding.
Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Business Association, thanked council for those additional dollars to help address the impacts of COVID-19 and asked for funding to assist personal service businesses, such as salons.
“These personal services are very important to the economic life of Guelph,” he said, adding he’s “extremely disappointed” personal services won’t be allowed to operate until three weeks after lockdown restrictions begin to lift. “We will be able to enjoy, at last, outdoor dining but haircuts will still be forbidden.”
Williams noted other municipalities and provincial representatives are being presented with similar requests.
“We hear your cry for help,” commented Mayor Cam Guthrie.
No discussion followed Williams’ request and no funding commitment was made for personal service businesses.
However, council ratified a decision from earlier in the month that will see $350,000 of additional funds put toward the Tourism Rebuild Fund and the Community Investment Program Emergency Fund, bringing each to $700,000 for the year.
