The following is a news release from the Office of David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South
Province Launches New Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant
Applications open for eligible small businesses in tourism and travel industries
May 14, 2021 PORT HOPE, ON― The Government of Ontario is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small businesses struggling to recover from the impact of COVID–19 pandemic through the new $100 million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant. This grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as mobile food services, outdoor adventure operations, recreational and vacation camps, recreational rental services, hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts. To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.
Small business owners can use the grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business. Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021.
“Small tourism and travel businesses are a crucial and valued part of any community,”said MPP David Piccini.“The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant will support tourism businesses across the province recover and rebuild, and help them as they return to contributing to healthy and vibrant communities. This substantial grant will support their bottom line and help them keep Ontarians safe until we can once again enjoy travel with friends and family.”
Eligible business owners can apply for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, as well as support to help with the cost of property taxes and energy bills online. Visit Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport for further eligibility details and to apply.
Businesses with questions about the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant can contact 1–855–216–3090 from Monday to Friday from 8:30a.m. to 8p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 8:30a.m.to 5p.m. (excluding government and statutory holidays).
QUICK FACTS
- For information on eligibility and how to apply: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses–get–help–covid–19–costs
- Tourism‐related industries experienced a total combined loss of 141,000 jobs between February 2020 and April 2021.
- The new Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, which provides $100 million to help small tourism businesses recover from the pandemic, is part of Ontario’s 2021 budget.
