During the midst of a third and extended lockdown, the Municipality of North Grenville has partnered with the local Chamber of Commerce and Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Association (BIA) to enhance their capacity to provide focused support and solutions to North Grenville’s business community.
The Municipality is providing $100,000 to both organizations – over two years – to ensure they have the necessary staff who are fully equipped to support local businesses during these unprecedented times.
“This has been a very chaotic and extremely challenging year for so many business leaders,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “Ensuring our local businesses can fully benefit from the invaluable networks and expertise offered by both the Chamber and the BIA is crucial during this time.”
The grant will allow both the Chamber and BIA to retain one full time Executive Director to implement a business support program. The BIA and the Chamber are each responsible for the hiring of this individual. The Municipality will not direct the selection of the candidate or oversee the hiring process.
“This grant is intended to significantly enhance the ability of the Municipality, the BIA and the Chamber to work pro-actively and collaboratively over the long-term,” added Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman.
“The impacts of COVID will persist for years to come. It is imperative that we create a positive and constructive environment in which our entire business community can succeed,” McManaman noted.
“The financial support from the municipality will allow the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce to provide far more to our local businesses through an enhanced business support program,” said North Grenville Chamber of Commerce Chair Karen Quigley.
“We appreciate this important investment which will enable the BIA to significantly expand its outreach to members – and build on events and initiatives that will attract even more people to Old Town Kemptville,” said new Old Town Kemptville BIA Chair Meagan Cumming.
For more information on the COVID business support programs visit: www.investnorthgrenville.ca.
