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Ontario announces COVID-19 program for northern businesses

A new program starts this week, while applications for other NOHFC programs will close.
Greg Rickford
Greg Rickford is the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs (Tbnewswatch file)

QUEEN's PARK — The Ontario government has announced the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) to help businesses adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines.

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford made the announcement Monday at Queen's Park.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, companies can apply for grants of up to $25,000 to help offset expenses related to the impact of COVID-19 including:

  • building renovations and new construction
  • customer and employee safety installations
  • equipment purchases including PPE
  • marketing for new business initiatives
  • restructuring of business operations

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31.

"There is no denying that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on businesses throughout Northern Ontario and this program will deliver targeted funding so they can continue to serve communities," Rickford said.

The program will be administered by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

Other NOHFC program streams will close for applications on Wednesday, a government statement said, to allow NOHFC to focus exclusively on the NORP program.

Rickford also announced plans for what he described as a new and improved NOHFC program to be launched in January 2021.

He said it will make it easier for more people and businesses to apply and support more projects in rural northern communities.

The minister said it will target both existing and emerging market opportunities, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people, and address the skilled labour shortage in the north.

 

 



Gary Rinne

About the Author: Gary Rinne

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Gary started part-time at Tbnewswatch in 2016 after retiring from the CBC
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