Leaders from PKED, DBIA, Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Peterborough and Innovation Cluster (#TeamPTBO) are working together to identify how the impact of COVID-19 will be hardest felt by our local business community.
FAQs for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
What are the federal government supports for my business?
Programs are being developed and implemented at rapid speed, to adapt to business input and address business concerns. The Canadian Business Resilience Network is updating the information daily.
Learn more
FAQs for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
What are the federal government supports for my business?
Programs are being developed and implemented at rapid speed, to adapt to business input and address business concerns. The Canadian Business Resilience Network is updating the information daily.
Learn more
What are the provincial government supports for my business?
The provincial government has created programs to help businesses with finances, taxes and guidance around reopening.
Learn more
The provincial government has created programs to help businesses with finances, taxes and guidance around reopening.
Learn more
What are the municipal government supports for my business?
The City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough and its eight Townships have examined ways to help business during this time. Learn more about what they're doing.
City of Peterborough County of Peterborough
A Mayor and Warden's Taskforce for Economic Recovery has also been formed in collaboration with the lead regional economic development agency - Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. Representatives include the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and members of the business community.
Learn more about the work of the Taskforce.
The City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough and its eight Townships have examined ways to help business during this time. Learn more about what they're doing.
City of Peterborough County of Peterborough
A Mayor and Warden's Taskforce for Economic Recovery has also been formed in collaboration with the lead regional economic development agency - Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. Representatives include the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and members of the business community.
Learn more about the work of the Taskforce.
Where can I find PPE supplies in Peterborough?
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has created the Peterborough PPE Retail Hub. This is an online resource of local businesses selling PPE.
Go to the Peterborough PPE Retail Hub
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has created the Peterborough PPE Retail Hub. This is an online resource of local businesses selling PPE.
Go to the Peterborough PPE Retail Hub
Are there sector-by-sector guidelines to follow as I consider reopening my business?
Yes, the provincial government has issued several guidelines for various industries. You can find these resources and others including various reopening toolkits on the Business Resources for Recovery Page just below the information on PPE.
Go to Business Resources for Recovery
Yes, the provincial government has issued several guidelines for various industries. You can find these resources and others including various reopening toolkits on the Business Resources for Recovery Page just below the information on PPE.
Go to Business Resources for Recovery
I have great employees and I am trying to provide them with the right information. Is there a resource that I should refer to?
For further information connect with your human resources partner. Here is a list of Chamber members in this area of expertise.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has compiled information and links in an FAQ section.
Information for Employees
For further information connect with your human resources partner. Here is a list of Chamber members in this area of expertise.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has compiled information and links in an FAQ section.
Information for Employees
I want to make sure that my voice is heard and government understands how much my business is impacted and formally request their assistance. How should I do this?
We recognize how overwhelming this is for all businesses. We want you to know that you are not alone. TeamPTBO has been working across all organizations locally and across the province to help amplify the message and advocate and support business.
Letters to City of Peterborough
March 27, 2020
April 21, 2020
The Chamber of Commerce has created a compilation of lobbying and advocacy recommendations to all levels of government.
Learn more
Have an idea about how government can help Peterborough businesses? Let us know: sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca
We recognize how overwhelming this is for all businesses. We want you to know that you are not alone. TeamPTBO has been working across all organizations locally and across the province to help amplify the message and advocate and support business.
Letters to City of Peterborough
March 27, 2020
April 21, 2020
The Chamber of Commerce has created a compilation of lobbying and advocacy recommendations to all levels of government.
Learn more
Have an idea about how government can help Peterborough businesses? Let us know: sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca
We are not sure how long this situation will last – What do employers need to know?
Will my insurance cover business interruption?
It is highly recommended that every business take the time to review your insurance policies and contact your insurance broker to obtain up to date information. In many cases, business interruption insurance is exempt from a pandemic.
How can I protect my businesses and property while it is closed? What municipal measures are being undertaken? I am worried about my property being vandalized.
We understand that this is an ongoing concern for many local businesses, especially those in the downtown area. The Peterborough Police have responded and deployed additional foot patrols in the downtown area. In addition, Kewley Security Inc. is currently offering a free security check to businesses in downtown. Contact Kewley directly for additional details: https://kewleysi.ca/ 705-874-3131.
Best practice and guidelines for securing your business:
How can I be using this time wisely for maximum effect?
Although this is a difficult time to be operating a business, it is important to stay engaged in your business. Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a resilient community and when we move from crisis to recovery, we want businesses to be as prepared as possible. Some suggestions to keep working on your business that you haven’t had time for:
How do we manage the negativity in social media?
Support each other’s business. Every business has different needs and customers to serve. Each business owner is doing the best they can to charter this unprecedented territory. Let’s keep it positive and support where we can safely.
What can I do as a business owner to help?
We recognize that this is a very challenging time for business owners. Information is changing at a rapid pace. It is very important that agencies advocate on your behalf and inform the government and associations of your changing concerns.
- Remain positive and calm.
- This situation is unprecedented for all businesses as we adapt to these continuous changes.
- It is recommended that employers facilitate virtual work arrangements to enable employees to work from home wherever possible.
- If a virtual workplace is not possible, employers should use their judgment to sustain operations in a manner that maintains social distancing.
Will my insurance cover business interruption?
It is highly recommended that every business take the time to review your insurance policies and contact your insurance broker to obtain up to date information. In many cases, business interruption insurance is exempt from a pandemic.
How can I protect my businesses and property while it is closed? What municipal measures are being undertaken? I am worried about my property being vandalized.
We understand that this is an ongoing concern for many local businesses, especially those in the downtown area. The Peterborough Police have responded and deployed additional foot patrols in the downtown area. In addition, Kewley Security Inc. is currently offering a free security check to businesses in downtown. Contact Kewley directly for additional details: https://kewleysi.ca/ 705-874-3131.
Best practice and guidelines for securing your business:
- Keep the lights on
- Remove all cash and receipts
- Do NOT leave any valuables visible or accessible
- All safe and registers/tills should be emptied and moved offsite for safe storage
- Keep all cash tills and drawers empty and open to show that there is nothing in them.
- All ATMs should be emptied and moved off-site.
- All alcohol products should be removed from the restaurant/bar and moved to a secure storage area (no alcohol should be left visible from the outside)
- Consider posting “no cash or valuables on-premises” signage
- Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings for cleaners and delivery services
- Disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source
- Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the time that this is done to discourage establishing a pattern)
- Be a good business neighbour and check on your neighbour’s business and alert them if necessary.
How can I be using this time wisely for maximum effect?
Although this is a difficult time to be operating a business, it is important to stay engaged in your business. Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a resilient community and when we move from crisis to recovery, we want businesses to be as prepared as possible. Some suggestions to keep working on your business that you haven’t had time for:
- Small, minor repairs that you have been meaning to cross off your list.
- Continue telling your story on your social media channels to keep your customers engaged and to create value for them. Suggestions include: if you have inventory, film and share an unboxing, or a tutorial on how to use one of your popular products/services- share the story of how your company started and why you wanted to become an entrepreneur- consider offering a digital or online service, or the development of an online platform or course- consider staging content photos if you can safely access your office, or create your own branded stock photos from home to use later.
- Cleaning and organizing the space and files
- Re-design your window display
- Get that PAPERWORK done!!!!
- Take some free online courses on marketing and business planning
- Tidy up your website
- Strategize and plan your next marketing and advertising campaign to welcome back customers and visitors.
- Plan your re-opening party or customer celebration events.
- Help others in the community to stay connected. Check on your neighbour
- Stay #PTBOStrong
How do we manage the negativity in social media?
Support each other’s business. Every business has different needs and customers to serve. Each business owner is doing the best they can to charter this unprecedented territory. Let’s keep it positive and support where we can safely.
- Share/like/comment and engage with others on their social media in a positive manner. This costs nothing to do.
- Leave a review or testimonial on the social channel or Google page of a small business or supplier that you use in which you had an excellent experience or enjoy. This can help with their SEO and reviews
What can I do as a business owner to help?
We recognize that this is a very challenging time for business owners. Information is changing at a rapid pace. It is very important that agencies advocate on your behalf and inform the government and associations of your changing concerns.
- Please be supportive of each other
- Answer surveys – they provide real-time data for us to provide to our elected officials
- Work with and support your employees during this time
