COVID-19 Business Support Centre

Regular e-bulletins have been distributed to share key information on resources, support and initiatives for businesses impacted by COVID-19. These bulletins can be found below.

2021 E-newsletters:

Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |

2020:

Mar 15 | Mar 19 | Mar 24 | Mar 30 | Apr 1 | Apr 15 | May 5 | May 13 | May 20 | June 1 | June 16 | July 7 | Jul 21 | Aug 11 | Aug 25 | Sep 15 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Nov 5 | Dec 15

 

The program has been extended until October 31, 2021. In addition, the use of temporary coverings or other accessories necessary to operate outdoor temporary patios in inclement weather has been authorized with approval.

 

With the re-opening of many businesses, PPE and safety supplies are in high demand. We’ve compiled a list of Richmond-made medical and personal protective equipment required to combat COVID-19. If you are a Richmond manufacturer or supplier of these products, or you are in the process of retooling to manufacture these crucial products, please contact us at [email protected]. View the list HERE.

Learn how your business can supply or manufacture essential goods and services to help the government combat the coronavirus. Support is also available for companies seeking to re-tool or pivot their existing operations. To view these procurement channels and resources, click HERE.

View our collection of job boards and local job listings for companies that are still hiring. Positions are in food production, logistics, health care, and technology. Information on employee support programs is also available. Find your next job or tell us your business is hiring by clicking HERE.

Explore Richmond’s New Community Hub

Discover how you can connect with Richmond and support local businesses on our new hub, We Are RichmondBC.

We are excited to announce the launch of WeAreRichmondBC.ca, a new online hub for Richmond residents and businesses. This new microsite connects locals to available resources, shares positive stories, and provides ways to explore and experience Richmond from home.

WeAreRichmondBC.ca is a joint effort by The City of Richmond, Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce joining forces to help bring our community together. On this site you can find information such as:

• Support Local: Check out our comprehensive list of restaurants, stores, and other Richmond businesses that are open, either online or in person.
• Richmond From Home: Immerse yourself in the history and places that are part of Richmond’s history by taking a virtual tour of some Richmond’s museums and historic sites.
• Richmond Has Heart: Find out about ways to come together and support for our community and see the latest social posts from the City of Richmond’s #RichmondHasHeart campaign.

The closure of brick and mortar stores resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has forced local businesses to pivot from their everyday ‘business as usual’. This new way of life has led local businesses to find alternate means to distribute their products. To view the list, click HERE.

Richmond food businesses can join the Richmond Food Recovery Network for free to easily and securely find a home for their overstock, mislabeled, close to expiry, distressed and aesthetically-imperfect food. This surplus food can either be sold to another business to recover some of the cost, or donated to local charities to support those in most need. To join the Richmond Food Recovery Network click HERE.

Government of Canada

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan has recently been updated as of October 2020. Programs have ended, been updated, and new ones have been added. A full list of financial support, loans and access to credit from the Government of Canada can be found HERE.

• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. An additional $20,000 has been made available to participants with $10,000 eligible to be converted into a grant. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022, will result in loan forgiveness of 25% (up to $10,000).
• The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for CERS to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses from September 27, 2020, to June 2021. This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.
• Enhanced Employment Insurance (EI) now covers at least 26 weeks of regular benefits. You only need 120 insured hours to qualify for benefits as a one-time credit of 300 insured hours will be applied to help applicants meet the required 420 insured hours of work. Those eligible and previously on CERB will be automatically transferred.
• The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) will provide $400 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support and who are available and looking for work.
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work.
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)– A wage subsidy covering 75% of an employee’s wages for employers of all sizes and across all sectors who have suffered a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March and 30% in April, May, and June 2020. The program will run until June 2021.
• Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (Government of Canada)

Province of BC

A full list of financial support, loans and access to credit from the Province of BC can be found HERE.

• BC Recovery Benefit, a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1,000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals.
• The Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program provides fully-funded grants to businesses to ensure they have the support they need during and beyond COVID-19. Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium sized BC businesses impacted by COVID-19. An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses.
• The Province has postponed the elimination of the PST exemption for carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners; the addition of new PST registration and collection requirements for e-commerce businesses located outside BC; and, BC’s carbon tax implementation dates to April 2021.

Access to Capital

• Business Development Bank of Canada Special Support Initiative– A variety of finance measures designed to increase cash flow.
• Export Development Canada Business Credit Availability Program 
• Western Economic Diversification (WDC) Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – The RRRF is an option for businesses that may not be eligible for other federal relief programs. Specific streams of funding for women owner/operator businesses, loans under $40,000, and loans over $40,000.

General Business Resources

• B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service (Small Business BC, B.C. Government, Government of Canada)
• Government of Canada Business Resilience Service Hotline – 1-866-989-1080, seven days a week, 8am-8pm (ET)
• Tool: Find COVID-19 support and other programs and resources (Government of Canada)
• Tool: Find financial help during COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
• Financing options for businesses impacted by COVID-19 (Small Business BC)
• COVID-19 Business Resources (Richmond Chamber of Commerce)
• Canadian Business Resilience Network (Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Government of Canada)

WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Safety Plan	Employers in B.C. have an obligation under the Workers Compensation Act to ensure the health and safety of workers at their workplace and places where work is being done. With respect to COVID-19, this obligation includes protecting workers by following the orders of the Provincial Health Officer and guidance provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control. As employers prepare to resume operations, they will need to have a safety plan in place that assesses the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace, and develops measures to reduce these risks. WorkSafeBC will not be individually reviewing or approving the plans of individual employers, however the plan must be posted at the worksite. WorkSafeBC COVID-19 and Returning to Safe Operation Guidelines To help workers stay safe at work during the COVID-19 outbreak, WorkSafeBC has compiled the following industry-specific guidelines for safety plans: Accommodation  Arts and culture Child care and day camps Education (K-12) Gym and Fitness Centres Health professionals In-person counselling Motion picture and television production Offices Parks, camping, and tourism Personal services Real estate Restaurants, cafes, and pubs Retail
Orders, Notices & for businesses and employers:	By Provincial order, as of March 30, the following measures are currently in force to prevent spread of COVID-19 and protect you and your loved ones: No gathering of more than 50 people is permitted Individuals must maintain a distance of 2 metres between each other when outside of the home Workplace Safety Plans – May 14, 2020 Further orders and guidance for businesses from the Provincial Health Officer can be found here. City Order: The City of Richmond has enhanced enforcement measures to support provincial health orders. Businesses not in compliance with any of the provisions to the following bylaws can be faced with a maximum fine of $50,000. Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360, Amendment Bylaw No. 10171 Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 10172
Essential Services:	Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety, and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives. Any business or service that has not been ordered to close, and is also not identified on the essential service list, may stay open if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.
British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA)	BCRFA blueprint and best practices for reopening.

The following resources have been compiled to help businesses prepare for and respond to disruptions due to COVID-19. Please note, this list is not comprehensive and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Agriculture	Government of Canada announces $50 million to quarantine temporary foreign workers arriving to Canada (Government of Canada) Resources for farmers (Young Agrarians) E-commerce food platforms for farmers, food producers and consumers (Province of BC) Credit line for agricultural producers (Farm Credit Canada) BC Farmers’ Markets Online (BC Association of Farmers Markets) Free Information for the Food Industry (AG Tech Talks) Farmer ID Cardholders are eligible for 5% off their farm insurance (The Co-operators) Funding, tools and business advisory services (AgriService BC)
Food Production	Personal Protective Equipment for Food Manufacturers (BC Food & Beverage) Richmond Food Recovery Network – match your surplus food with those who need it (City of Richmond) E-commerce food platforms for farmers, food producers and consumers (Province of BC) Ask a safety advisor service for food manufacturing plants (Manufacturing Safety Alliance BC)
Tourism/Hospitality	Tourism Resiliency Program (Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region) Tourism Essentials – Info Session for Case Managers – May 15 (YWCA) Industry resources & local business support (Tourism Richmond) Industry updates & resources (Destination BC) COVID-19: Information for Hoteliers (Hotel Association of Canada) COVID-19 Guidance to the Hotel Sector (BC Ministry of Health) Virtual Experiences Best Practices Guide (Destination BC)
Restaurants	BC Restaurants and Food Association Blueprint for Reopening (BCRFA) Navigating coronavirus: COVID-19 resources for foodservice operators (Restaurants Canada) Restaurants allowed to use unemployed servers to deliver liquor products (Government of British Columbia) Navigating coronavirus: COVID-19 resources for foodservice operators (Restaurants Canada) COVID-19 resources for retailers and restaurants (Lightspeed)
Filming	COVID-19 Update for the Creative Industries of BC (Creative BC) COVID-19 Guide (Actors Fund of Canada) Federal government package in response to COVID-19 (Canada Council for the Arts)
Logistics	Financial and insurance solutions (EDC) FAQ’s: What Canadian exporters need to know about the coronavirus (EDC)
Retail	Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Retailers (Retail Council of Canada) Navigating coronavirus: COVID-19 resources for foodservice operators (Restaurants Canada) COVID-19 resources for retailers and restaurants (Lightspeed) Recent Updates – COVID 19 (BCRFA) COVID-19 Guidance to Retail Food and Grocery Stories (BCCDC)
Manufacturing	Returning to operation in B.C. in a healthy and safe manner (WorkSafeBC) COVID-19 Updates for Manufacturers in BC (Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC) Helping Our Manufacturers through Challenging Times (Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters)
Arts & Culture	$3M funding for arts and culture groups (Province of BC) Emergency Support Fund – Addressing the financial needs of cultural, heritage and sport organizations (Government of Canada) Showcase BC micro-grants for BC artists to support online performances (Creative BC)
Aviation	Federal Government Waives Airport Rent  (Government of Canada) Essential Aviation Personnel (Transport Canada) COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance (Transport Canada)

The analysis contained in this report centres not only on economic recovery but on opportunities for building long-term economic resilience. It looks at the economic
impacts of COVID-19 on the City of Richmond from three angles: the impact to specific business sectors, the impact to specific occupations & demographics,
and the impacts to commercial, industrial, and retail spaces in the city.

This research was developed to help inform economic recovery efforts in the City of Richmond by:

• Identifying the economic role Richmond plays in the region and opportunities for leadership in province-wide economic recovery efforts;
• Identifying the specific workforce, sector, and space impacts of COVID-19 in the City of Richmond; and
• Identifying areas of economic potential for further investigation by the City of Richmond’s economic development team and partner organizations

View the report HERE.

In addition to ensuring public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting local businesses and economic recovery is a top priority for the City of Richmond. This report outlines some of the actions taken, underway or planned to help mitigate the permanent loss of businesses and jobs in Richmond, and to support economic recovery. View the report HERE.