City of Brantford Economic Development
399 Wayne Gretzky Parkway N3R 8B4 Brantford, ON, Canada

The Ontario Small Business Support Grant provides $10,000 to $20,000 in support to qualifying small businesses affected by the Provincewide Shutdown. Application Guide: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/assets/guide.pdf... Apply Directly: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/ For more information on supports and programs available during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our website at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//business-resources-covi

DECEMBER 2020 LABOUR MARKET REPORT The latest labour market report including unemployment rates is now available. Data is published by Statistics Canada. Below is a summary of the key numbers for the Brantford CMA. You can find the data and charts at: ... https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//december-2020-labour-ma A summary of the Statistics Canada commentary can be found at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//labour-market-reports.a KEY NUMBERS December Unemployment Rate: Brantford 6.1% [-] Ontario 9.5% [+] Canada 8.6% [+] The local unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 month over month. The local labour force contracted by 1,000 month over month. The number of employed decreased by 700 month over month. The number of unemployed decreased by 400 month over month. When compared to the surrounding CMAs of Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, Guelph, and London, Brantford’s unemployment rate is second lowest.

Entering into the first full week of the new year, many City facilities remain impacted by the provincewide shutdown. For information on what is available and how to access services, check out the post below.

BUSINESS GUIDELINES DURING PROVINCEWIDE SHUTDOWN The Province has released some details for business operations during the provincewide shutdown set to start on December 26. For more information visit: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//business-guidelines-dur

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK With 2020 soon behind us, we look forward to the promise of a brighter year in 2021. None of us have escaped the wide-reaching impacts of this pandemic. Yet through one of the most challenging years on record, I have seen the astonishing generosity and resilience of our community come together. Within Brantford, our health care professionals, first respondents, and front line workers are truly heroes as they work tirelessly to support those in need. O...ur community partners continue to stand in the gap to deliver critical services to the vulnerable, while our educators consistently adapt to guide the development of primary, secondary, and post-secondary students. Words cannot express thanks to each and every one of you. Economically, many small and specialty businesses quickly shifted gears to offer new or enhanced customer outreach options including online shopping, curbside pick-up, and local delivery. Numerous Brantford manufacturers retooled or added to their operations to produce PPE and related supplies for the community at large and health care system in particular. Our municipal, business, and community leaders banded together through the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force to create a targeted and tangible plan to support our local economy and embrace the shop local platform so critical in these challenging times. While we face more challenges in the weeks and months ahead, the prospect of increased opportunity in the new year is fueled by many factors: the incredible determination of our community, the ongoing efforts of our extraordinary healthcare professionals, and the commitment of our municipal leaders as well provincial and federal counterparts to remain diligent and focused on recovery efforts. The strength and character of a community is revealed most clearly during times of adversity and I am extremely proud of our community’s efforts to date and its unwavering support as we persevere forward. From everyone at the City’s Economic Development and Tourism Department, may your holiday be filled with much joy and cheer and may 2021 bring you increased health and happiness. Kevin Finney Director, Economic Development and Tourism ------------------------ https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//director-s-message-look

OCTOBER 2020 SEES RECORD CONSTRUCTION NUMBERS IN BRANTFORD Brantford is having its biggest construction year in history. The year-to-date construction value for 2020 is $225.258 million, which already exceeds the previous yearly record of $211.828 million set in 2005. Read more at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//october-2020-constructi

At the heart of our community is a vital and vibrant downtown. Comprised of many unique and creative businesses, these restaurants, retailers, and service providers infuse life and opportunity into Downtown Brantford In this video, take another look and see Downtown from a new perspective. You may discover more great reasons to make this your destination today. #brantfordtogether... #StrongerTogether

Exclusively tonight for free, you can live stream the Cuban at 7:30 PM as part of the premiere exhibition for our community. Much of this incredible film was shot in Brantford. Brantford is excited to help bring film and television magic to the small and big screen. Check out the steps below for more information.... Register at: bit.ly/thecubanmovie

Woven into the fabric of Brantford is a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurialism. Our city has given rise to incredible industry, technological inventions, and leading businesses providing unique products and services to fit countless niches. The Laurier LaunchPad-Brantford is hosting a pitch competition for aspiring businesses. If you're ready to launch your idea, look no further. Yours may be the next great success story.

BUSINESSES TO SEE RELIEF FROM PROVINCIAL TAX CUT RECOMMENDED BY MAYOR'S TASK FORCE As a result of reductions announced in the 2020 Ontario budget tabled at Queen's Park on November 5th, businesses in Brantford are now positioned to save $6.8-million in provincial taxes. The reduction, lobbied for by several municipalities including the Mayor's Economic Recovery Task Force, applies to the provincial business education tax. Read more at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//bu...sinesses-to-see-relie #BrantfordTogether

We are excited that Piller’s Fine Foods plans to build a $19.1 million, 27,000 square foot expansion to their processing facility in Brantford! Once the expansion is completed, 15 new full-time jobs are expected to be added within the expanded facility. Read more at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//piller-s-fine-foods-ann

OCTOBER 2020 LABOUR MARKET REPORT The latest labour market report including unemployment rates is now available. Data is published by Statistics Canada. Below is a summary of the key numbers for the Brantford CMA. You can find the data and charts at: ... https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//labour-market-reports.a A summary of the Statistics Canada commentary can be found at: https://www.advantagebrantford.ca//october-2020-labour-mar KEY NUMBERS October Unemployment Rate: Brantford 7.2% [-] Ontario 9.6% [+] Canada 8.9% [-] The local unemployment rate decreased by 0.9 month over month. The size of the local labour force stayed the same month over month. The number of employed increased by 700 month over month. The number of unemployed decreased by 700 month over month. When compared to the surrounding CMAs of Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, Guelph, and London, Brantford’s unemployment rate is the lowest.