CENTRE WELLINGTON – As the province enters the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Township of Centre Wellington wants to help local businesses get through it.
This week the municipality launched a survey on the Connect CW website to learn how businesses are managing; whether programs launched this spring have helped; and to identify what kind of support and assistance is needed going forward.
“This has been an exceptionally difficult time for many of our local businesses,” stated Mayor Kelly Linton in a press release.
“From Day 1, we have been providing them with timely and practical support. Now we need to know how our businesses are doing so we can figure out how to help.
“Survey results will help us understand how we can continue to support local businesses and job creation.”
Don Vallery, chair of the CW Economic Development Task Force, said the economic recovery subcommittee wants to be proactive and targeted in the support it provides.
“The survey results will give us an indication as to who needs assistance, what their needs may be, how we can support them or provide them with direction for assistance,” he said.
“I encourage every business owner in CW to take a few moments and fill out this survey.”
Early in the pandemic, the township launched the Shop Local/Support Local Centre Wellington initiative, the Support Local Recovery grant program, and assisted the downtown cores in Fergus and Elora by closing streets to allow for pedestrian traffic and outdoor patios.
Staff has also been a resource for information on other government programs, local business support organizations and sector specific supports.
Working with the Economic Development Task Force, an economic recovery subcommittee was formed, and it developed an action plan with four objectives:
– safe access to businesses (exterior);
– safe customer experience (interior);
– financial assistance; and
– marketing and promotional support.
To decide how to focus resources to support the local business community, the township is asking local business owners to complete the business support survey at www.connectcw.ca.
