TOURISM BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM

PLEASE NOTE: All new applications will be placed a waiting list because we have exhausted the amount allocated.

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Objective:

To provide a program that supports COVID-19 recovery expenses through financial support directly to tourism-based businesses in Akwesasne, the City of Cornwall and The United Counties Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce has received funding to facilitate a program that will provide funding to support business improvements required for health and safety measures due to COVID-19.

Business Eligibility:

• Must be a small to medium-sized business or not-for-profit that provides goods and/or services to tourists (including accommodations, recreation & entertainment, food & beverage services and retail). Please refer to the definitions noted below;
• Business or not-for-profit must have a registered business number. For businesses in Akwesasne, we will accept the business number issued by the MCA ;
• Business or not-for-profit must be located in the City of Cornwall, Akwesasne, or The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry ;
• The business must demonstrate how their business is related to and/or dependent on tourism and that its business operations have been adversely affected by COVID-19.

Definitions:

Accommodations:
Accommodation is a group of rooms and/or a dedicated outdoor facility, which the customer pays to stay overnight. Eligible businesses include hotels, motels, resorts, inns, agri-tourism, bed and breakfast establishments and campgrounds. Ineligible businesses include residential rental properties that do not pay commercial property taxes.

Recreation & Entertainment:
Recreation and entertainment businesses are those that provide a tourism experience and/or attraction for a fee. Eligible businesses include museums, theatres, sports facilities, amusement parks, outdoor recreation outfitters, sightseeing, transportation and tour operators. Ineligible businesses include fitness facilities.

Food & Beverage:
Food and beverage services include the process of preparing, presenting and serving food and beverages to the customers. Eligible businesses include restaurants, bars, breweries, catering, cafés or food trucks. Ineligible businesses include grocery stores. 

Retail (Tourism):
Retail businesses are those that sell goods to the customer and a minimum of 80% of the overall business sales are generated through the sale of products. Eligible businesses include apparel & accessories, home furnishings, general merchandise, specialty stores. Ineligible businesses include, but are not limited to, personal services, professional services, grocery stores, hardware stores, car dealerships.

Grant Funding Available:

The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce will provide non-repayable funding in the amount of 80% of eligible costs (with a 20% contribution from businesses) normally to a maximum of $4,500.

Timeframe of the program:

Intake 1: The application deadline for Intake 1 is February 19th, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Successful grant applicants will be informed by March 15th, 2021

Intake 2 (If funds are still available): The application deadline for Intake 2 is June 30th, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Successful grant applicants will be informed by August 6th, 2021

Projects must be completed by September 30th, 2021.

Expenses can retroactively be claimed from June 1, 2020.

Final Report and invoices must be submitted no later then October 20th, 2021.

Eligible Expenses:

Eligible COVID-Recovery improvements will include, but are not limited to the following:

1 - Implementation of Health and Safety Protocols

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• 3rd party training costs related to re-opening 
• Installation of shields and barriers for customer interaction;
• Installation of new signage, or improvements to existing signage, including floors markers, directional flow signs, curbside pickup/delivery signage;

2 - Alterations to Accommodate Social Distancing

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Expansion of patio space 
• Outdoor components such as tables, chairs, barriers, shelving, outdoor heating
• Structural changes to the building such as takeaway windows

3 - Purchase of PPE and Cleaning Supplies for Workers

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Installation of sanitization stations for employees and/or customers;
• Personal protection equipment; 
• Cleaning supplies and/or professional cleaning costs

4 - Implementation of Digital Tools and Transformations for Tourism Operators

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Online adaptation and costs including, but not limited to, virtual queue and timed entry ticketing 

Applicants claiming expenses under the category '4 - Implementation of Digital Tools and Transformations for Tourism Operators' will need to demonstrate the following:

• That the Digital Tools and Transformation related costs are directly related to pivoting the business in order to adapt to COVID-19 related restrictions.  
• That they have accessed the appropriate Digital Main Street program or Technology Innovation Program**:
• ShopHERE (provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away).
• DMS Ontario Grants (Digital Transformation Grant Program will provide Digital Transformation training and guidance and provide the opportunity for main street businesses to apply for a grant of up to $2,500)
• Technology Innovation Program- Powered by CFDC was created to provide business owners with the expertise and support needed to identify and adopt the right technology solutions.
• That they are not claiming expenses which would otherwise be eligible through the above programs.
  ** Businesses that choose to not use the above programs can still apply. We will ask for an explanation on the application form.

General Terms of Funding Program:

• The successful applicant is required to sign a funding agreement upon approval.
• Works as set out in the fund agreement must be completed prior to the grant being distributed.
• Payment of the grant is conditional upon submission of satisfactory proof of payment of all eligible costs.
• Proof of the total costs incurred and paid will be required.  In the event that the actual eligible costs are less than the amounts submitted with the application, the matching grant will be limited to 80% of the total eligible costs. 
• Costs in excess of the amount set out in the approval letter are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Eligible costs exclude the amount of harmonized sales tax (HST).
• Eligible costs do not include any labour costs for work performed by the applicant/owner.  All labour costs must be substantiated with proof of payment.
• Only one application shall be received for each business number on a one-time basis.
• Eligible expenses are retroactive to June 1, 2020.
• The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to request additional information and perform a site audit as a condition of approval and payment of the program.
• Works must be completed by September 30th, 2021.
• The Final Report and invoices must be submitted no later than October 20th, 2021.  
• Applications will be processed and approved on a first come first serve basis, subject to availability of funding.
• Where building, encroachment or work permits would be required for planned work, The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to confirm compliance with relevant municipal permitting prior to advance funding or approval of the application.  
• The applicant is required to contribute the 20% matching funds.  Stacking with other funding programs is not permitted. 
• The applicant must acknowledge that their company name and grant amount will be public information, displayed on the Chamber website, and possibly used in the Ministry’s and/or Chamber's success stories or public announcements

Application and Approval Process:

• Applicants will apply through The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce;
• If the application meets all criteria, The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce will issue an email of approval confirming approved expenses.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the rationale surrounding their ineligibility;
• The applicant will be required to sign a funding agreement upon approval.
• Upon completion of the works as set out in the funding agreement, and upon payment by the applicant for works performed, the applicant submits the final report and proof of payment to The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Staff will review the proof of payment and issue a reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our business has already received funding for PPE, are we still eligible? The business can use invoices that have not already been used for other funding sources. The successful applicant is required to contribute the 20% matching funds. Stacking with other funding programs is not permitted.

Are not-for-profits organization eligible to apply? Yes, tourism based not-for-profits with a registered business number are eligible for the program.

What if my actual costs are lower then what I have put in the application? Proof of the total costs incurred and paid will be required. In the event that the actual eligible costs are less than the amounts submitted with the application, the matching grant will be limited to 80% of the total eligible costs.

What if my actual costs are more than what are approved? Costs in excess of the amount set out in the Funding Agreement are the responsibility of the applicant.

Application Form