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Wasaga Beach Economic Development Newsletter - February 25th, 2022
Information, News & Resources
Economic Development Office
What Is In this Issue?
  • Have your say! - Take part in our survey!
  • Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant! 
  • Congratulations and Welcome to Wasaga Beach!
  • Annual Women In Business Awards 2022
  • Census shows Wasaga Beach one of Canada's fastest growing communities
  • Façade Improvement Program 
  • FREE 2022 Business Membership with SGBT
  • More Funding Programs
  • Plus more resources and news!

Business & Economic News Highlights
Have your say -
Take part in our survey!

What does Wasaga mean to you? The Town of Wasaga will be developing a new comprehensive brand for our community but before we get creative we want to hear from you.

The Town of Wasaga Beach is creating a new branding strategy. The new branding will redefine the town’s image and showcase the town’s unique identity to help separate Wasaga Beach from other municipalities. This new branding will help to communicate our clear unified vision for the future in an effort to build citizen pride, investment attraction and business expansion and retention. By solidifying a common vision, identity, and image, the town of Wasaga Beach can better communicate and market our community.
Façade Improvement Program

Are you a business looking to update your sign, hard landscaping, lighting or another improvement to the frontage of your business? If so, this program is for you!

The program is a first come, first serve basis and is accepting applications until funds have been fully allocated. Apply today!

The program will provide a grant up to 50% of the eligible costs up to $2,000 per project.

The Façade Improvement Program is a FREE municipal Grant Program Package that assists property owners looking to revitalize and/or restore the frontage of their existing commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings in town. Projects can include side and rear facing facades that have high public visibility.

For more information please view the Façade Improvement Grant Webpage or contact Economic Development staff.
Ontario COVID-19
Small Business Relief Grant!

Small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen plan are now able to apply for the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant. 

Eligible businesses are able to apply for the program as of February 9, 2022, until March 11, 2022, to receive a grant of $10,000. 

As previously announced, to receive the grant, a small business must: 

  • be required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2022 
  • have fewer than 100 employees as of December 31, 2021 
  • be an active business as of January 14, 2022 

Eligible Small Businesses include: 

  • restaurants and bars 
  • facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms) 
  • racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments 
  • museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions 
  • performing arts venues and cinemas, museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions 
  • meeting or event spaces 
  • tour and guide services 
  • conference centres and convention centres 
  • driving instruction for individuals 
  • before- and after- school programs 
Congratulations and Welcome to Wasaga Beach!

Congratulations to Beach Babes Beauty Bar on its grand opening last week. Mayor Nina Bifolchi and members of council were on hand for the occasion, which included a ribbon cutting with owner Faith Carlson. Beach Babes is at 1232 Mosley St., Unit 2.

If you would like to invite a member of the Wasaga Beach town council to attend an event, official openings, ribbon cutting ceremony, or if you would like to request congratulatory certificates, town pins or the raising of a community flag, contact the Executive Assistant to the mayor and council or sign up for the Business Milestone Program here.

Annual Women In Business Awards 2022 -
Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at 6 pm

The Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrates women in business with awards in different categories based on your feedback. 

Celebrate International Women's Day with a Charcuterie Board Workshop & Women in Business Award Ceremony!

This fun and interactive event will be conducted virtually using Zoom. This year’s event includes a charcuterie workshop, a goodie bag with yummy supplies and a hand-crafted charcuterie board (delivered in advance of the event), a trivia contest, and prizes.

Tickets are available for a nominal fee of $20 to help cover the costs of the supplies, beverages and other items provided in the goodie bag.

Census shows Wasaga Beach one of Canada's fastest growing communities

Newly released census data from Statistics Canada shows Wasaga Beach is one of the fastest growing communities in the country.

“We are not really surprised as we have had steady growth over the last few years,” Mayor Nina Bifolchi said. “We believe people want to live here because we are an affordable and safe place to live.”

In addition, Bifolchi said a number of other factors contribute to making the community a desirable place.

“We have a growing number of housing choices, great schools and good access to health care, a public transit system, a beautiful waterfront, hiking trails, recreation facilities, good water and sewer infrastructure, we are close to larger urban centres and our overall cost of living, including property taxes and water rates, is low,” she said.

SGB SBEC Presents:
9th Annual Making Connections
Let's Celebrate International Women's Day

Join the South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Center on Tuesday March 8th for an inspiring, in-person celebration of your success as a woman and an entrepreneur. Half and full day ticket options available but of course we hope you can join us for the entire day of events. 

This event welcomes non-binary, trans and femme folks. We will work together in honouring our differences and celebrating the gifts we each bring to the table. Together we can create a safe space.

Space is very limited. Reserve now.  

Think Local - Support Local

Spend your money where it matters the most this holiday season. By supporting your local businesses you support your community.

Your dollars stay in the community and help local jobs, development, community culture and create more walkable and livable neighborhoods. The pandemic has hit us all deeply and the effects continue to rattle our business community.


South Georgian Bay Tourism Announces FREE 2022 Business Membership
for Wasaga Beach Tourism Businesses

Have you registered for your FREE membership yet? The Town of Wasaga Beach has partnered with SGBT and the South Georgian Bay municipalities to offer complimentary business memberships for the entire South Georgian Bay tourism industry in 2022.

Register your tourism business to take advantage of this free unique marketing opportunity. This is your chance to be part of the South Georgian Bay Tourism Association. Register for free today using the following link.

BUSINESS MILESTONE RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Is your business.....

Celebrating an anniversary milestone? Expanding? Holding a grand opening? Achieving an industry innovation?

If so, the Town of Wasaga Beach wants to hear from you!

The Town of Wasaga Beach aims to acknowledge the many contributions of local businesses within the community. The Business Milestone Recognition Program aims to highlight local businesses and honour their achievements. Through this program businesses are recognized for celebrating special achievements such as grand openings, anniversary milestones, and other special achievements unique to their industry.

If you would like to participate in the program and learn more, please visit our website here.
Contact Val Dickson here or visit the website here to learn more.
Town of Wasaga Beach
BUSINESS RECOVERY PORTAL
Since the beginning of COVID-19, the Town of Wasaga Beach has been making every effort to support you and your business. As we now look towards careful re-opening and recovery, we have compiled over 150 special resources here to help your business source COVID-related information and funding.
START AND GROW A BUSINESS PAGE
Are you eager to launch a new business or expand your existing business in Wasaga Beach?

We have retail, commercial and industrial space, business supports, workshops, one-on-one counselling, and information about financial incentives to support your venture and help it thrive. On this page you will find local, regional, provincial and national resources to help you start or grow a business.

Follow our Facebook Page for more up-to-date resourses and programs!
Reach out to Economic
Development today!

In addition to sourcing and sharing these resources for you, our Economic Development Team is always ready and available to assist you and your business. Help us to help you. We welcome and encourage you to contact us with your questions, comments or ideas - we will do our best to steer you in the best direction as you look to start, grow or support your business - for today and tomorrow.
*Disclaimer: The Town of Wasaga Beach is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.