Funding announced for small and medium businesses affected by pandemic

Help is on the way for small and medium-sized businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Kingston has partnered with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (EcDev) to award 1.1 million dollars in funding — $600,000 will come from the City of Kingston and EcDev will fund $500,000 worth of grants.

“I’m so pleased that Kingston EcDev is partnering with the City to offer a combined $1.1M business recovery grant,” says Mayor Paterson. “This will help Kingston businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and recognizes those that have been ineligible for provincial and federal programs. This program is so important, especially as we head into another provincial lockdown, which will be incredibly challenging for the business community.”

Businesses that are interested in applying for the funding should have fewer than 50 employees and must pay commercial rent or taxes. The window for applying ends Friday, Apr. 30, 2021.

The grants will provide a maximum of $13,333 towards eligible expenses.

“Businesses can claim funding for business sustainability training provided by a third-party provider, marketing, business model transformation, COVID-19 related business advisory services, and new equipment,” Kingston Economic Development Corporation stated in a press release on Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2021.