From: Horel, Bridget FLNR:EX <Bridget.Horel@gov.bc.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 3:42 PM
Subject: Small Business Recovery Grant Info

Hello Everyone,

Good afternoon. Attached is some information regarding the changes to the BC Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program, announced in December (press release at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020JERI0044-002118).

Eligibility criteria were streamlined on December 18, 2020, to make it easier for businesses to qualify. Those businesses who have already submitted an application, do not need to re-apply.

Eligibility changes include:

instead of requiring a revenue loss of 50% or more, the criteria has been reduced to 30% at the time of application;
the requirement to list a variety of remittance accounts, like the registration numbers for the goods and services tax, provincial sales tax and WorkSafeBC, have been removed;
businesses that have been in operation for the last 18 months are now eligible (reduced from three years);
applications can now be submitted by sole proprietors; and
businesses that are temporarily closed or seasonal are now eligible for the program.

Also, a few updates to questions that have been asked:

Question: Why are Not-for-Profits (NFPs) not eligible for the grant?
Staff with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation have brought this question to their executive who will be bringing forward suggestions, should they be able to make further changes to the eligibility.
Question: Why are Vacation Rentals not eligible for BRG?
The Ministry has looked into this and has been given direction that vacation rental businesses that are registered with BC Registries as an official business with a licence, are able to apply, as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria.

In addition, please find an info sheet with a list of COVID-19 Supports for Non-Profit Organizations.

Morningstar Pinto (Morningstar.Pinto@gov.bc.ca; www.linkedin.com/in/morningstarpinto) and John Cruz (Jon.Cruz@gov.bc.ca) with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation are also available to speak about the program if you have a regional call/meeting and would like them to join the call.

Please feel free to share the program information within your networks.

All the best,

Bridget Horel

Regional Economic Operations Branch – Regional Manager North Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast

Rural Development Unit

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

370 Dogwood Street South, Campbell River, BC

Bridget.Horel@gov.bc.ca │250-850-1770 (Office) │ 250-202-8619 (Cell) │