Business Recovery Grant Program Extended

Port McNeill, B.C. - This fresh from the Honourable Michele Babchuk's office:

For Immediate Release 2021JERI0015-000394 March 4, 2021 NEWS RELEASE Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Business recovery grant program extended

VICTORIA - The B.C. government has extended the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized BusinessRecovery Grant program to ensure businesses have the time they need to apply. One of the main requirements has also been lowered to ensure more businesses are eligible. "We continue to listen to B.C. businesses about what they need to navigate through the second wave ofthis pandemic and position themselves for a strong recovery," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. "This funding has been set aside for businesses to help them rebuild, keeppeople employed and support B.C.'s economic recovery. We are committed to making sure hard-hitbusinesses can access these critical funds." The time to apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program has been extended fromMarch 31, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2021. The previous requirement for a business to have experienced at least a 70% revenue loss at some point in March or April 2020 has been adjusted. Now, a business is required to demonstrate only a 30%revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application. "I sincerely appreciate the B.C. government's willingness to continue to adjust this program to meet theneeds of businesses, particularly those in tourism and hospitality," said Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC. "This is the type of response that will help businesses get through these difficult times." The $345-million Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program provides fully funded grants to businesses that employ up to 149 B.C. residents. Grants of $10,000 to a maximum of$30,000 are available, with up to an additional $5,000 to $15,000 available to tourism-relatedbusinesses. Interpretation services are in place in multiple languages to support business owners through theapplication process, including the application portal and the recovery plan. To access these services, contact Small Business BC, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), at 1 833 254-4357 or email:BusinessRecoveryGrantProgram@gov.bc.ca The program is part of StrongerBC: BC's Economic Recovery Plan. The plan outlines the latest steps theGovernment of British Columbia is taking to help people, businesses and communities come out of theCOVID-19 pandemic stronger and better prepared. Quick Facts:

• As part of the application process, an applicant is required to develop a business recovery plan.

• Approved professional service providers are available to help with the application process, including recovery plan support, up to $2,000 per small- or medium-sized business. Thisamount is paid directly to the provider.

Learn More:

For more information on the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/business-recovery-grant

For more information on StrongerBC, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/