This page helps businesses access information about the various business support programs and services that are being introduced from all levels of government. It is updated regularly with information and resources that support businesses in responding to the economic impact of COVID-19:
The Town of Tillsonburg is continuing to work with the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Improvement Area to help support business owners through these challenging months. The Town is also collaborating with economic developers across Oxford County, as well as the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus.
Digital Main Street Grant |
The Digital Main Street Grant will help main street small businesses improve the efficiency of their digital operations by providing a $2500 grant, administered by the Ontario BIA Association, to adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing. For more information about the Digital Main Street and related programs, contact Ramona Gallagher at info@thesmallbusinesscentre.ca |
Emergency Micro Loan Program |
To help businesses manage their monthly financial obligations during COVID-19 , Community Futures Oxford has introduced the $30,000 Emergency Micro Loan Program. This program has been enhanced with an express process for businesses that need funds to cover their rent payments. Through this enhancement, businesses can apply to receive up to $2,500/month for up to 12 months. The funds will be disbursed directly to the landlord each month so they are only obligated the repay the amount for the months they need funds to cover rent. Highlights:
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Grants for Non-Profits and Community Associations |
To assist with the recovery of Oxford County’s community and economy, non-profit organizations and community associations can apply for non-repayable grant funding up to $25,000 to help make innovative community development projects possible.
Applications for 2021 will be accepted by Community Futures Oxford in two rounds as follows: Round 1 applications accepted: January 4- February 26 @ 4:00pm Round 2 applications accepted: March 1- April 30 @ 4:00pm Register for an upcoming info session with Community Futures Oxford to learn more. |
Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund |
Administered by Community Futures Oxford in collaboration with Oxford Connection, the Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund provides local businesses with flexible loans to restart businesses closed during the pandemic, revitalize downtown cores, support tourism and hospitality operators and more. Applications to the fund open May 20 and will be accepted until December 31, 2021. Successful applicants will receive business financing up to $100,000 for working capital through a repayable loan from Community Futures Oxford. The loan will consist of:
Note: When choosing between the Oxford Economic Stimulus Program and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund please consider the following:
For more information, please visit www.cfoxford.ca. |
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund |
Community Futures Oxford is pleased to deliver the Federal Government's Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to provide targeted assistance to the small towns and communities they serve, CFDCs will focus on assisting “main street” businesses, such as retail shops, restaurants, corner stores, and businesses of strategic importance to their communities, with loans up to $40,000. Learn More
For more information, please visit www.cfoxford.ca. |
Tillsonburg BIA |
The Tillsonburg Business Improvement Association (BIA) is comprised of more than 230 businesses in the Downtown Core Area (Central Commercial zone) in Tillsonburg. The BIA is responsible for the promotion and beautification of Downtown Tillsonburg, and offers a variety of support services and resources to member businesses. Contact m.renaud@tillsonburgbia.ca to discuss your situation. |
Tillsonburg Outdoor Patio Program |
The pilot program for outdoor patios located on municipal property for the 2021 season has been approved by Town Council. The Town of Tillsonburg allows downtown eating establishments or coffee shops to establish temporary seasonal patios by using on-street parking spaces along municipal streets which have curb side on street parking as well as in municipal parking lots. The 2021 outdoor patio season is established between April 15th to November 1st *. (*May be permitted earlier at the Town’s discretion depending on weather and completion of required maintenance). All outdoor patios and/or sidewalk by-passes must be designed and constructed to the satisfaction of the Town of Tillsonburg. |
Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) |
Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) is a fund established by RBC, the federal government and other sponsors to help small businesses across Canada offset the cost of expenses required to reopen safely or adopt digital technologies to move more of their business online. The maximum grant amount available per application is $5,000. Eligible Activities and Costs The grant, if awarded, provides reimbursement of costs incurred because of COVID-19. It is not a loan, line of credit or similar product. • Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Renovation of space to adhere to re-opening guidelines • Enhancement of website/ developing e-commerce capability
Deadline: The frequency of application windows and delivery of funds will be dependent on the number of applications received and funding allocation. Please note, as funds are limited applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Once funds are exhausted, all other applications will not be processed. All applications and supporting documentation must be completed and submitted online. |
Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program |
Visit Ontario.ca's COVID-19: Rent assistance for small businesses for up-to-date information on commercial rent payment support. |
Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB) |
The Government of Ontario has provided $8 million to support small business and registered charity customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one- time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. |
Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE Support |
Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant Relief programs are designed to support small businesses with the unexpected costs of PPE.
To be eligible, your business must have 2 to 19 employees and be in one of the following sectors:
What you'll get Eligible small businesses will get one-time grants of up to $1,000. |
Ontario Small Business Support Grant |
Applications are open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which helps small businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020.
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Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates |
All small businesses that are eligible for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant are also eligible for these property tax and energy bill rebates.
Funding will cover the entire length of time that regionally targeted public health restrictions are in place. |
All Businesses
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) |
Through this program, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will provide more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to businesses with viable business models whose access to financing would otherwise be restricted. By working in close cooperation with financial institutions, this program will fill gaps in market access and leverage additional lending by private sector institutions.
These programs are now available at various financial institutions and credit unions. Please apply through your financial institution. Canada Emergency Business Account Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises |
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) |
Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses. This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords. If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more. |
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) |
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations. Changes to CEWS as of January 6, 2021:
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Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) |
Qualifying businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access government-guaranteed, low-interest loan of up to $1M to cover operational cash flow needs. Multiple location businesses under one related entity (i.e. a chain of restaurants or hotels) could be eligible for up to $6.25M. Businesses need to show year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in 3 months, within the 8 months prior to their application to the program. Companies need to have applied for either Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) or Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).
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Ontario Together Fund |
The $50 million Ontario Together Fund has helped businesses to provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment and ventilators.
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Student Work Placement Program |
The Student Work Placement Program connects employers with student talent. Funded by the Government of Canada, SWPP provides employers with wage subsidies of up to $7,500 to hire post-secondary students for paid work experiences. Students in turn benefit with quality work experience so they can secure employment in their chosen fields of study. SWPP is administered through Magnet at Ryerson University, a digital platform with a mission to accelerate inclusive economic growth across Canada by advancing careers, businesses and communities |
Work Sharing Program |
The Work-Sharing program is offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers. |
WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program |
Financial supports for businesses include the Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s (WSIB) Health and Safety Excellence Program, which offer rebates to safe employers. |
Employment Opportunities in Agriculture and Food Processing Sectors |
For people seeking alternative employment opportunities as well as the chance to make a difference during this COVID-19 outbreak, a new web portal has been created to highlight employment openings and training resources in Ontario’s Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Processing sectors. |
Support for Employees
Also see the COVID-19 Resource Page and search function released by Finance Canada
For more information on these tools, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario
Additional COVID-19 Employer Resources
COVID-19 safety checklist for workplaces
Community Futures Oxford |
This is your federally-funded small business support centre serving Oxford County. If you need to talk through how you can adjust your business or what to do next, contact:
Lindsay Wilson - lwilson@cfoxford.ca |
Oxford Connection |
The Economic Development Offices of Oxford County (Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Woodstock and Rural Oxford) are working together to help businesses respond to the challenges created by the global COVID 19 pandemic and have launched a collaborative website at www.OxfordConnection.ca. |
Supporting Oxford Web Portal |
www.supportingoxford.ca lists businesses providing gift cards for purchases at a later use, as well as businesses that are offering local delivery or alternate accommodations due to closures amid Covid-19. |
The Small Business Centre |
The Small Business Centre is an on-going economic development partnership between the Province of Ontario, the City of Woodstock and Oxford County. The Small Business Centre has been approved as the delivery agent for the re-launched Digital Main Street program, which has the following components:
For more information about the Digital Main Street and related programs, please contact Ramona Gallagher at info@thesmallbusinesscentre.ca. |
Tourism Oxford |
If you’re a tourism-related business, Tourism Oxford and Oxford Fresh will be doing their best to help you promote your business. The team will also keep you informed about regional, provincial and national conversations that support tourism moving forward. To discuss unique opportunities to promote your business in partnership with Tourism Oxford, please contact: Meredith Maywood- mmaywood@oxfordcounty.ca Gabrielle Mueller- gmueller@oxfordcounty.ca |
Learn more about:
Other steps you can take to assist your businesses are: