The City of Regina is now accepting applications for its newly announced Economic Recovery Grant to help local businesses hurt by COVID-19.
The city is contributing $2 million to businesses through the grant over the span of two phases.
On Monday morning, Mayor Michael Fougere said businesses are striving to stay open during the pandemic, so council needed to find a way to support them.
“It is to cover immediate short-term measures including PPE and other safety supplies,” he explained. “This support will fill the gap that is not being filled by other programs by the province and the federal government.”
The first phase will go until December 31 of this year and will provide grants valued at $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 to address immediate short-term needs related to COVID-19 and resuming operations. Phase Two begins in January 2021 and focuses on supporting longer-term diversification initiatives that will support business sustainability.
John Hopkins, chief executive officer with the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, admitted during Monday’s conference that it was not so great at the start since the chamber was asking for a “different type of program”, but added they are very happy to work with the city to develop what he called an important program.
Hopkis said they have been continually surveying their membership during the pandemic to learn what business owners have been struggling with.
“One of the things that came up continually was the fact that there was a gap in terms of PPE in particular. So that needed to be addressed,” mentioned Hopkins.
John Hopkins, CEO of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
He continued by sharing there is a lot of concern among local business owners about the impacts of COVID-19.
Hopkins said it will take time to go through the numbers and see the true effects from the pandemic, but Hopkins noted that numbers in the food service and hotel sectors are “not very good.”
“These are very challenging times, I’m not going to try to sugarcoat it at all,” said Hopkins. “That’s why a program like this, along with federal and provincial programs, are needed because these impacts are very, very significant.”
Grant applications are only available online at the city’s website and will be received every Monday beginning at 9:00 a.m. for 24 hours or until 40 have been submitted. Applicants can read eligibility information and grant criteria in order to prepare their submissions.
