B.C. government adds funds to recovery grant program for small and medium B.C. businesses
The B.C. government has announced an infusion of millions of dollars in additional funding to help small and medium businesses stay afloat until step three of the province’s reopening plan.
Officials say the money will fund the Small- and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant until July 1.
“We built this grant program for the business community,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs, in a news release.
The government says the grant program has helped 10,000 B.C. businesses, with more than 41 per cent of the money going to tourism-related businesses.
“This additional support was a call to action from the Tourism Task Force to provide relief to people and businesses that were struggling,” said Melanie Mark, minister of tourism, in the same release.
Mark is encouraging tourism-related businesses to see if they’re eligible for the grant money.
The province says its business recovery grant program, combined with its circuit breaker fund, has committed $560 million to help B.C. businesses affected by the pandemic. The latter program closed to applications on Friday.
“The grant money I received not only benefits my business, it has a ripple effect on the community and makes people optimistic that the local economy is starting to rebuild,” said Leanna Carlson, a pottery store owner in Prince George, according to the government release.
Owners of businesses that employ up to 149 B.C. residents are eligible to apply for the small- and medium-sized business grant. Applications close on July 2.
Step three of the province’s reopening plan includes a return to normal indoor and outdoor personal gatherings, a resumption of indoor fitness classes and a return to Canada-wide travel for non-essential purposes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.