This document is a framework to provide best practices and protocols that the industry has worked together on. This information was put together with a consortium of experts in many different restaurants and
foodservice establishments in BC.

The Wellington West Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Crowdfund Canada have launched LOVE.WellingtonWest.ca, a joint crowdfunding program to support more than 550 member businesses across Ottawa neighbourhoods.This is the first pilot for the Community Wealth Sharing Initiative, supported by the McConnell Foundation, and is offered at no charge. Residents can invest in the success of local merchants. In return, merchants can choose to offer rewards like store credit, services, or product giveaways to be redeemed whenever they decide.

As part of the Town’s Economic Resiliency Action Plan, today, the Town of Newmarket will launch an innovative Mentorship Access Program (MAP). This program provides small and medium-sized businesses access to a directory of volunteer mentors available to provide strategic advice and guidance on how to adapt to these unprecedented times and map out a business plan, during and post COVID-19.

Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery includes an introduction to using streets for recovery and response (pdf) and detailed implementation information about the following street strategies:

• Lanes for Biking & Rolling (pdf)
• Sidewalk Extensions (pdf)
• Transit Lanes (pdf)
• Slow Streets (pdf)
• Pick-Up & Delivery Zones (pdf)
• Outdoor Dining (pdf)
• Markets (pdf)
  Note: Individual PDFs coming soon

In the form of a survey, the Adopt-A-Business program, is asking companies to mobilize team members in support of businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of its commitment to Kitchener-Waterloo, Sherpa Marketing wants to help by providing $25,000 in professional marketing services to one local company hit by the economic effects of COVID-19. Local Kitchener-Waterloo companies who want to donate their time, products or services can do so by joining the Adopt-A-Business Challenge. Sherpa will evaluate applicants and choose a company in Kitchener-Waterloo most in need. Of particular concern to Sherpa Marketing are all the small businesses that make Kitchener-Waterloo so diverse and vibrant.

Rules around temporary patios, sidewalk cafes and outdoor retail expansions are relaxed to create more space for customers in alignment with Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines. Until the end of 2020, businesses have the option to expand patio or retail space by following a set of guidelines and signing a declaration form.

Grimsby’s Downtown Improvement Area (DIA) board – with support from the Town of Grimsby –is helping frontline staff. Every business in the DIA area will receive two face shields – with an option to acquire more – to help with employee and customer safety. These shields were made by a local retooled business

From Toronto’s Roncesvalles BIA, these signs can be put in the window of shops to clearly show their services

Use the app to collect points, then redeem those points for discounts at locally-owned businesses. For instance, 50 points gets you $5 off your next purchase of $20 or more at the Dutch Bakery & Diner.

This grant will support the purchase of required safety equipment which must be installed prior to re-opening. Businesses can apply to receive a maximum of $500. Under the program, only commercial property and business owners within the Business Improvement Area (BIA) will be considered.

BUILD IT by Design, a construction firm in Mississauga, is supporting restaurants that have been impacted as an effect of the pandemic’s lockdown measures, by placing large meal orders and delivering them to hospitals, food banks and individuals in need.

This is real-life representation of the Riverside BIA Directory, a colour-coded live map which indicates in real time what level businesses are operating at. The colour codes are the same for the map and signs. Green indicates a business that’s open but may have reduced hours and offerings, yellow means a business is open online or via phone only, and red means the business is closed for now.

So you don’t have to go out today but you can invest in a local biz for tomorrow

City of Brampton compiled list of federal and provincial funding opportunities for local businesses to take advantage of for economic support during COVID-19 pandemic.

Downtown Kingston BIA provides resources regarding the local businesses and how they are adapting and how to support businesses that remain open in some capacity.

The City of Calgary, together with local partners, has created a “buy local” campaign to support local business. #SupportLocalYYC, is creating connections, sharing resources and tools, and highlighting positive stories to inspire the community and spark further innovations that can benefit those in need.

A Phoenix-based organization is offering grants up to $10,000 to local small businesses experiencing economic distress and sudden loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief grants are intended to help for-profit small businesses keep employees on payroll and meet other necessary operating costs. Preference is given to small businesses owned by veterans and underrepresented groups located in economically distressed areas of Phoenix.

The Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association launched an online version of the street’s shops and services at www.quinpool.shop. The site includes links to many Quinpool shops, services and restaurants that have transitioned their businesses into online sales, deliveries and arranged pickup.

A new initiative has been created to help larger brands use their influence and social followings to lend support to small businesses. Small businesses impacted by the crisis are being asked to add the hashtag “#LikeALocal” to an Instagram post to signal that they are willing to participate. Big brands search the hashtag on Instagram or by using one of their social listening tools to find a local business they’d like to support, reposting their post and explaining why. From there, the brands are encouraged to get in touch with the small business directly to find out if there are other forms of media they might be able to donate.

Hear information and insights from business and industry experts on a variety of topics, including cyber-security, digital marketing, social media, e commerce, customer loyalty, and rethinking growth during a time of crisis. The webinars are hosted by the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre (MBEC) and include digital marketing sessions that are an extension of the City of Mississauga’s Digital Main Street program.

Platform for supporting local businesses by purchasing gift cards to help “flatten the curve”. Gift certificates provide fast cash flow for business owners, and can help pay employees who are still working for them.

The idea to move online will reduce traffic at the market as buyers will only be able to pick up items they’ve already purchased.

A summary of the input that business owners, BIAs, and stakeholders have provided to the City of Toronto. The contents here are not necessarily recommendations but capture the full range of feedback provided. The information is intended to help inform the Mayor’s Economic Support & Recovery Task Force’s approach to recovery.

Local businesses can register for distantly.ca and community can donate funds to support specific businesses. The platform doesn’t charge a platform fee and funds are sent within 48 hours to local businesses.

This website provides links and information related to small business support. It notes that as a municipality, the City “is not permitted to grant direct assistance to businesses, however, Council has directed staff to examine all of the City’s fiscal, legislative and legal powers to support businesses and jobs to sustain the local economy during the pandemic”.

Platform for connnecting those businesses that need support with organizations offering support.

Locals for Local TO is an initiatives to support Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood. People can buy “goody bags” for between $80 to $100 (plus delivery). Goody bags include items from local shops like fresh veggies, cookies, coffee and more, and are available for delivery or pick up. A portion of proceeds will go to food banks.