Provided via Nottawasaga Futures:
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan has helped to protect millions of jobs, provide emergency support to families, and keep businesses afloat as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. A central part of this is the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which helps support those who may not be eligible for other programs.
Since May 2020, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) have been delivering targeted RRRF support to businesses in their communities. With their local expertise and connections, southern Ontario CFDCs have been trusted partners of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to deliver this funding to support local businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to stay afloat and maintain jobs.
In this time, Nottawasaga Community Futures Development Corporation has provided $2,079,888.67 in liquidity support to help 49 local businesses in South Simcoe impacted by the pandemic to cover costs and maintain 98 jobs. The funding is making a difference in the South Simcoe area by providing businesses the support they need to navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic while finding ways to grow for the future.
For example, Alliston Flooring Inc., which supplies and installs different types of flooring for retail and commercial clients, located in Alliston, was struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With RRRF support through Nottawasaga Community Futures Development Corporation they received liquidity support and have expanded their operations and have pivoted to a virtual sales model. Alliston Flooring Inc. is now better positioned for sustainability and growth. The funding has provided the company with the ample runway to weather the storm and to be there for their customers when they needed them.
“On a much larger scale the RRRF Funding has allowed us to be more competitive by instituting an app that enables our showroom to be virtual, where we can have client meetings and be able to offer them the same experience as if they were physically in the store.”