WELLINGTON COUNTY – New business recovery grants have been approved by Wellington County council and applications will begin next week.
At Thursday’s county council meeting, three grants were unanimously approved for Wellington County businesses.
Eligible businesses will be able to apply for up to $2,000 between the grants.
The business safety supply and PPE grant is for PPE, disinfectants, hand sanitizer and methods to ensure physical distancing for a maximum of $1,000.
Business services support grant is intended for website development, design services and access to computer program subscriptions for a maximum of $1,000.
The last grant is a $1,500 physical adaptation and technology grant meant to support physical and technology measures that support safe operations. This can include patios, pick-up windows, outdoor heaters, touchless payment, e-commerce and online reservation systems among others.
George Bridge, economic development committee chair and Minto mayor, said it’s amazing to see the local community futures have $150,000 in total to distribute to eligible businesses to assist in COVID recovery.
“These applications and grants will open up next week, so we’re looking forward to getting that message out,” Bridge said.
He also mentioned there is a discussion on going further with more funds but that would come back to council at a later time.
Coun. Jeff Duncan, economic development committee member, thanked council for the support at budget time to clear the way for additional funding for businesses.
“We didn’t have a clear vision of some additional COVID funding relief or recovery, what to do with that particular pot of money that council entrusted us with so it’s great to see that going out the door,” Duncan said.
These grants will be administered through Waterloo-Wellington Community Futures in south Wellington County and through Saugeen Economic Development Corp. in the north.
