Ontario Small Business Support Grant

Up to $20,0000 for Small Businesses Affected by Province-wide Shutdown

The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Province-wide Shutdown. The tightened restrictions were put in place to help stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario.

Small businesses required to close or significantly restrict services under the Province-wide Shutdown will be able to apply for a one-time grant and use this funding in whatever way makes the most sense for their individual business needs. For example, some businesses could need support paying employee wages, while others could need support with their rent.

Eligible small businesses include those that:

• Were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Province-wide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26
• Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level
• Have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019
• New Businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria

Businesses impacted by the Province-wide Shutdown are also eligible for additional supports, including the government's program to provide rebates to offset fixed costs such as property tax and energy bills. These rebates will continue to be available for businesses impacted by the Province-wide Shutdown and earlier restrictions. More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and other rebates is available on https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario