Grants will soon be available to small businesses in BC that have had to temporarily close due to the Dec. 22 gathering restrictions.
Gyms, fitness centres, bars, lounges, nightclubs, and other event venues have been forced to shut their doors due to an emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. These businesses will soon be able to apply for a one-time grant of up to $10,000, with the amount dependent on factors such as rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance and utilities.
“We’re all exhausted by COVID-19, but unfortunately COVID-19 is not done with us,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we are coming together to ensure those hardest hit businesses will receive much-needed support. The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant will directly help businesses through these difficult times. I encourage everyone in B.C. to support impacted local businesses, including businesses that have been forced to close by buying gift cards and memberships for future use.”
More information on the application process will be made available in the next few weeks. It is expected that the process will open in early January 2022, and last until the end of February.
To be eligible for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, a business is required to:
- confirm it has been fully closed by the provincial health officer’s recent orders;
- new applicants will need to provide direct-deposit information (not needed if business was approved for the Circuit Breaker Business Relief or the Small- and Medium-Sized Business Recovery grants);
- confirm that it is registered as a B.C. business before Nov. 1, 2021;
- confirm that the business is following all public health orders and guidelines;
- produce a business validation document, such as a municipal business licence, liquor licence, notice of assessment or lease agreement; and
- confirm majority ownership and operations and payment of taxes in B.C.
