GOOD NEWS! New grants for BC’s hospitality industry

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

We are coming to your inbox to share some very good news today! This afternoon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon announced a new $50 million fund with grants of up to $10,000 for businesses impacted by the ‘circuit breaker’ public order announced last week.

This new fund is a direct result of work by ABLE BC and our industry association colleagues over the past week.

The new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant will provide affected businesses with up to $10,000 in one-time funding to help with expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance, and utilities. The grant can also help cover unexpected costs that resulted from the restrictions, such as the purchase of perishable goods.

Applications are expected to open the week of April 12, 2021 at: www.gov.bc.ca/business-relief

Since the new restrictions were announced last week, ABLE BC has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, pushing for urgent financial support for BC’s beleaguered hospitality industry.

In direct response to industry feedback, we are pleased to share the application process will be streamlined so affected businesses can access the funds quickly. The grant is open to eligible businesses of any size that have been in operation since February 1, 2021.

Additional grant funding details are provided below. For more information, please refer to the grant website and government news release.

ABLE BC expresses our immense gratitude to Minister Kahlon and his team for working around the clock since last Monday to do in days what normally takes months to achieve. This is exactly the sort of support our industry needs to help weather the direct financial costs of this ongoing crisis.

To register to receive an email notification when applications open, businesses can visit: www.gov.bc.ca/business-relief

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant Funding Details

Businesses impacted by the March 30, 2021 provincial health orders will be eligible to receive between $1,000 and $10,000 in grant funding.

  • The majority of eligible businesses will receive a grant of $5,000

  • To be eligible, a business is required to:

  • confirm it has been affected by the recent provincial health orders

  • provide electronic banking information

  • confirm that is registered as a BC business

  • produce a business validation document, such as a business license, liquor license, notice of assessment or lease agreement

  • confirm majority ownership and operations and payment of taxes in BC

  • Applications are expected to open the week of April 12, 2021, and will close on June 4, 2021, or until the funds are dispersed

  • Businesses that have received, or are in the application process for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant, will be contacted about applying for the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant

To register to receive an email notification when applications open, businesses can visit: www.gov.bc.ca/business-relief

Ann Brydle