Georgina has three Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) with locations in Jackson’s Point (est. 1992), Keswick (est. 2014) and Sutton (est. 1995), representing more than 150 storefront businesses. As part of the Municipal Act, the Town can offer grants and programs to businesses commercially assessed within the designated borders intended to improve and revitalize the area.
Since 2015, the Town of Georgina has offered grants to businesses through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes streams to enhance facade, landscaping, accessibility and heritage building improvements. To date, more than $700K has been invested into the BIAs, with $141,115 in funding provided through the Economic Development and Tourism office for the initial streams.
When the pandemic hit, the Town’s Economic Recovery Team expanded the program’s streams to include COVID-19-related grants to assist with recovery. These grants include, but are not limited to, costs to install a new temporary patio, interior modifications such as Plexiglas dividers or to upgrade technology and software programs. As of June 2021, the new streams have had $30,753 invested by the business owners, with $11,548 in funding given.
Owners of Scoopy Doo’s ice cream, Sheila and Tom, were in the midst of installing their first walk-by pick-up window just before the pandemic hit in 2020. The upgrade helped them as they navigated safety protocols over the summer. Prior to the 2021 season, they applied for the COVID-19 CIP grant to install two more windows. This would allow them to accept payment at one window and hand out their sweet treats at the others. “The grant is wonderful,” said Sheila. “It’s been a lifesaver for our business, which is closed for more than six months of the year with no revenue coming in – but lots going out.”
COVID-19 shutdowns affected the business, which drove Shauna, the owner of Village Traditions, to look into eCommerce options that would allow customers to purchase items online. She reached out to the Town, who linked her with Digital Main Street, which offers a no-cost program funded by the provincial and federal governments to set up an online store. The business also received funding through the COVID-19 CIP Grant stream to help cover the costs associated with linking its inventory system with the new Shopify account.
Charlie Young, the owner of the Mansion House at 129 High St. in the Sutton BIA, applied for the Town’s Facade Grant to give the building a fresh coat of exterior paint and window cladding.
Town business support
The Economic Development and Tourism office also supports the downtown BIAs through board representation, streetscaping and banner programs, marketing support and by being the communication link between the businesses and municipal departments on initiatives that affect the business community. Learn more about doing business in a BIA and how the Town supports these areas.
Having access to CIP grants is one reason new businesses choose to locate in one of the Town’s BIAs. If you own a business in one of Georgina’s BIAs and want to see if one of the CIP grants could help you, or if you are a potential new business, connect with the Town’s Economic Development office to learn more.