RTO 9 is pleased to receive funding from the Federal Government - COVID 19 Tourism Adaptation Fund. RTO 9 will administer the funding and distribute it to tourism-related businesses located within Leeds & Grenville, Frontenac County, and Hastings County. Please note that not all communities are eligible. See maps in the application.
Application intake will be open from January 6, 2021, to February 15, 2021- at 4:00 pm. This is a non-repayable grant of between $1,500.00 - $20,000.00 maximum, applicants need to have a matching cash contribution of 20%. The grant will cover 80% excluding HST. This is a first come first serve program, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Eligible costs include:
• Health and safety protocol could be signage, virtual queue, plexiglass partitions, etc. Anything that would help the business apply local/provincial health guidelines
• Alterations to accommodate social distancing including the expansion of patio space for restaurants (including tables, chairs, umbrellas) and/or acquisition of equipment like outdoor heaters to extend seasons
• The purchase of large-scale PPE or sanitizing equipment (fog machines etc.)
• Cleaning supplies for workers/customers
• The acquisition and implementation of digital tools and operating transformations like a virtual queue, timed entry ticketing or contactless check-ins, contactless payment upgrades
• Eligible tourism businesses are:
Tourism Operators as defined by and according to Tourism HR Canada include Accommodation (hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, and recreational vehicle facilities), Recreation and Entertainment (zoos, museums, theatres, sports facilities, amusement parks, government parks, heritage sites, hunting, fishing or outdoor adventure outfitters, and casinos), Food and beverage services (restaurants from fast service to fine dining, as well as pubs, nightclubs, cruise ships, and convention centers); Travel services (retail travel agencies, wholesale tour companies, or corporate offices with their own booking divisions) and Transportation (companies that provide transport by air, land or water, and include airlines, bus companies, taxi companies, ferry services, and cruise ships). Retail stores heavily dependent on tourism may also be considered.
Please direct any questions regarding RTO 9 to the Executive Director, Bonnie Ruddock at bruddock@region9tourism.ca
Apply today here