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Team Burlington Announces the Burlington Safe Restart Program

Team Burlington Announces the Burlington Safe Restart Program

Burlington Safe Restart Program to provide eligible small businesses with grants of up to $2500 to purchase PPE equipment and/or renovate their physical space to adhere to reopening guidelines 

September 29, 2020 – Burlington, ON – Team Burlington (Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington), has teamed up with the City of Burlington and POST Promise to deliver an innovative new program to provide financial support to Burlington’s small business community during COVID-19. A direct outcome of the Burlington Economic Recovery Network (BERN) also led by Team Burlington, the one-time grant of up to $2500 can be used towards related COVID-19 costs such as purchasing PPE, renovating a physical space to adhere to public health guidelines, purchasing of signage and/or barriers, and much more.

Carla Y. Nell, President and CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce offered a statement on behalf of the Team Burlington organizations. “As a result of COVID-19, public-facing businesses such as food services and retail stores have seen a decline in revenues anywhere from 60-70%. These businesses are under tremendous pressure to adapt their physical spaces to adhere to reopening guidelines. Through speaking with stakeholders, it became clear that the City could support in restarting the economy and rebuilding consumer and employee trust by offering financial support to adapt to the reopening guidelines laid out by the province.” She continued, “We are very proud that Burlington is the first municipality we know of to launch a program of this kind and to be taking actionable steps toward helping businesses reopen safely and effectively.”

The Burlington Safe Restart Program is also proud to be partnering with POST Promise, a private-sector initiative, in collaboration with various levels of government, designed to help Canadians confidently and safely visit public spaces and the workplace. Businesses who apply for the Burlington Safe Restart grant are required to make the POST Promise, which provides education and training on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The POST Promise is honoured to be a part of the City of Burlington’s Safe Restart Program, and Team Burlington’s efforts to support local businesses during this challenging time,” said Laura Hearn, President & Executive Director of the POST Promise. “This initiative not only provides businesses with the tools they need to keep their customers and employees safe but is also critical to rebuilding consumer confidence and supporting our economy. I applaud all businesses who have already made the POST Promise and encourage all others to learn more at postpromise.com.”

Grant recipients will be able to display Burlington Safe Restart signage as well as the POST Promise logo in their storefront window, demonstrating their commitment to doing their part to protect the public’s health during COVID-19.

“The Burlington Safe Restart Program grant is another way to support our local businesses in adapting, as well as helping to increase consumer confidence in participating in the economy again – that, in turn, will hopefully help the public feel more comfortable in visiting their favourite local shops,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. “Businesses are already putting in safety and health protocols, and that’s good to see. Connecting the grant to the POST Promise is also a great idea because it’s a simple and visible way for businesses to let their customers know the steps they are taking. Once people start seeing the same logo at many businesses — and you’ll also see it at City Hall — it’ll start creating confidence again in participating in the economy. I want to thank the Burlington Economic Recovery Network and Team Burlington for spearheading and supporting these initiatives and encouraging businesses to participate.”

The Burlington Safe Restart program will be accepting applications from eligible businesses from September 29 to October 13. More information on the program including eligibility requirements and the application form can be found at www.investburlington.ca/covid19.

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Media Contact

Claire Green
Manager, Marketing and Attraction
Burlington Economic Development
Claire.Green@burlington.ca

Team Burlington Supporting Business During COVID-19

Team Burlington Supporting Business During COVID-19

Burlington’s business organizations (Team Burlington) which include Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Burlington Economic Development, Aldershot BIA and Tourism Burlington are taking a coordinated approach in engaging and supporting Burlington’s business community. We are constantly monitoring developments with COVID-19 and the impact locally. Over the next three weeks we will be taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of both employees and businesses following the City of Burlington guidelines and the Government of Canada – Risk-Informed Decision Making for Mass Gatherings During COVID- 19.

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce staff will continue to be available during regular business hours. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chamber staff, via email or phone. Timely and relevant information will be updated frequently and made available on our website, through targeted e-blasts and on our social channels.

For information on upcoming business events that may be rescheduled inline with the mass gathering risk framework please visit the individual websites following the links below:

Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on business and policy support measures

In Canada, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Finance are closely monitoring the virus’ impact on Canadian jobs, workers, entrepreneurs, and economic growth.

Linked here are some helpful documents:

Shopping Local in Challenging Times

During this time of uncertainty, most agree that the local economy will be weighed down by the impact of COVID-19. The impacts on small businesses and independents can be particularly heavy as we practice social distancing.

Small businesses are the heart beat of our local economy; they invest in our community and our neighbourhoods with the hope that the community will give back to them with the same vigor. These are the entrepreneurs that hire our children, sponsor our sports teams and community groups – they are your neighbours.

Shopping locally during this challenging time for Burlington is more than a “good idea” it is a necessity to help keep our local businesses sustainable and flourishing.

As our community makes a conscious effort to minimize exposure to large crowds and public spaces with a view to minimizing the spread of COVID-19, consider patronizing and supporting your favourite, neighbourhood independent business.

Our business community has proven to be a resilient and adaptable group that champions innovation. Now it is the Burlington public’s turn to create innovative ways to support them.

Team Burlington is dedicated to supporting our business community while placing the highest level of concern for everyone’s health and safety. We appreciate your ongoing support.

Thank you,

Team Burlington

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