Grey County reports the region is currently seeing a 9.3 per cent unemployment rate, a dramatic increase from the two per cent unemployment rate recorded at this time last year.
“Things have changed a great deal. A lot of the projects that we had planned for 2020 are irrelevant,” said Savanna Myers, director of economic development, tourism and culture for Grey County at a recently held committee of the whole meeting. “There is a great need from our business community to step up and help them take some action.”
Myers said through conversation with local business owners, she has found that the majority have managed to survive the pandemic on federal and provincial programs but are now struggling to return to profit.
In an effort to assist local businesses, Grey County has developed the aPhase One Recovery Plan.
“The fundamentals of this plan mean that we are turning our efforts inwards to focus on our entrepreneurs and our residents,” Myers said. “We are not looking outward or looking to attract people at this point, we are looking inward to make sure our businesses have the support they need.”
Myers describes the plan as a high-level guide book that has been created with flexibility in mind and details 27 action items the county will take to aid local businesses.
She reported the county has already partnered with its lower-tier municipalities to provide a number of resources, including: the Community and Business Resiliency Map; two industry surveys; provided results and comment to upper levels of government; hosted webinars; and introduced fee and penalty deferrals to improve cash flow.
The county has offered its assistance to the lower tiers in an effort to provide consistency throughout the county and fill any service gaps.
“We have handed out 54 business reopening tool kits,” said Tim Hendry, director of communications and economic development for the Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM). “Each one contains guides and protocols, business support and resource sheets, we also have floor stickers, a box of PPE and physical distancing notices for the door.”
Hendry said the toolkits have been very well received, and the town plans to distribute another 40 to 50 kits in the TBM this week.
“We have also distributed 25 open for business signs that you will see throughout the community,” Hendry continued. “Those signs announce ... if the business is open or if they are offering curbside pick up or delivery.”
Moving forward, Grey County’s economic development department will be focusing on a number of marketing campaigns that will encourage buying and exploring local amenities.
“Starting now, we are going to start pushing our buy local campaign and one of our messages will be to really highlight the trails and natural attractions but then also link that to outdoor patios in the area. We really want to make that connection,” added Steve Furness, manager of economic development for Grey County. “Between the buy local, trail and patio promotions, we really want to support our downtown areas and the restaurant industry.”
Earlier today, the county launched the initial step in this plan with its Outdoor Activity Map, which highlights waterfalls, trail access points, canoe and boat launches, scenic lookouts and beaches.
