COVID-19 Business Resources

The Economic Recovery Task Force is focused on stimulating local economic recovery coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Task Force will focus on three strategic areas where the municipality can act as a catalyst to stimulate the local economy:

• critical infrastructure investments
• planning and development stimulus
• business recovery and support

The Economic Recovery Task force primary members include:

• Mayor Letham
• Deputy Mayor Councillor O’Reilly
• Councillor Seymour-Fagan
• Councillor Veale
• Director of Development Services Chris Marshall
• Director of Engineering and Corporate Assets Juan Rojas
• Bjorn Alfredsson, retired Owner and Operator of Holsag Canada
• Jill Quast, Owner of Happy Days Houseboats, Chair of Kawartha Lakes CFDC
• Mark Wilson, Founder and President of MVW Construction & Engineering Inc.

• Dr. Tom Phillips, Economist, Chief COVID-10 Recovery Officer at Fleming College

Working Groups have been established to address specific economic response and recovery needs. Representation on these groups is from local Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Area, sector and industry associations.

Read the Economic Recovery Action Plan approved by Council on November 17, 2020.

Visit Jump In Kawartha Lakes to access all the Taskforce information and share your ideas.

Business affected by COVID-19 worked with the KLSBEC Starter Company PLUS Recovery Grant Program to access help adopting new tools, increasing their online presence and implementing new business strategies.

• 2020 and 2021 program cohorts saw 12 entrepreneurs receive grants and go through the program
• $48,000 in grants were rewarded to businesses to help them successfully recover from the impact of COVID-19

In the first of its kind, Kawartha Lakes Economic Development in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and Lindsay BIA have launched Shop Kawartha Lakes, a shop local campaign.

With customizable templates for businesses, Shop Kawartha Lakes puts marketing tools in the hands of local businesses for free, with the added leverage of participating in a region wide campaign.

• Shop Kawartha Lakes website
• Online form for businesses to sign up

Thank you to the almost 500 businesses that shared their experience with us in the COVID-19 Business Survey. The survey has now closed. The surveys were conducted in two phases:

• Phase 1, scientific phase including random sample phone survey to 179 businesses
• Phase 2, online survey open to all businesses

Survey Results

• Phase 1 Results
• Full Results; includes responses from phase 1 and 2

Team Kawartha Lakes

Kawartha Lakes Economic Development is part of Team Kawartha Lakes and are working collectively and collaboratively to ensure that local businesses receive up to date and accurate information.

The City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development, including the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC), remains available to support our business community. Although municipal facilities are closed, Economic Development and KLSBEC services are available by phone and electronically.

Phone: 705-324-9411

Rebecca Mustard, Manager: extension 1395

Kelly Maloney, Agriculture: extension 1208

Donna Goodwin, Arts and Culture: extension 1498

Laurie McCarthy, Tourism: extension 1233

Emily Turner, Heritage: extension 1366

Carlie Arbour, Downtown and Community: 705-340-2276

Diane Steven, Kawartha Lakes Small Business Entrepreneurial Centre (KLSBEC): extension 1283

Sandy Greenberg, KLSBEC Small Business Programs: 705-928-4431

Danielle Harris, Workforce Planning: extension 1234

As of Sept. 22, 2021, Ontario will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend select businesses and indoor settings.

Businesses/Indoor Settings Affected:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);

• Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
• Sporting events;
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).
• NOTE: Retail stores and essential businesses are not included by this new requirement.

Access the full details here:

• Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings (Provincial News Release, Sept 1, 2021)
• Vaccine Certificate information from HKPR Health Unit

Stay up to date on Kawartha Lakes' current colour code for COVID-19 on the HKPR Health Unit website.

COVID-19 Business Resources

• COVID-19 Safety Plan Template (developed by Province of Ontario)
• COVID-19 Safety Plan Template (developed by the HKPR Health Unit)
• Provincial small business support programs

Stop the Spread Business Information Line (for questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment) 1-888-444-3659

Stage 3 Reopening Information Sessions

• Operating your Business Safely (July 28, 2020)
• Restaurants + Events + Entertainment (July 29, 2020)

• Team Kawartha Lakes Local PPE Suppliers
• COVID Help PPE Marketplace: PPE exchange for customers and suppliers
• Ontario Together: sell medical supplies, find PPE

Are you a PPE supplier and interested in getting on these lists? Contact Economic Development, or ask someone from Team Kawartha Lakes for help.

Shop Kawartha Lakes

Find your fall...in Kawartha Lakes

Digital Main Street, Digital Service Squad

City of Kawartha Lakes Take Out/Delivery/Services COVID-19 Recovery Facebook Page

Paddle Forward Bobcaygeon

Bobcaygeon and area COVID-19 Relief Fund

#HeartForFenelon

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. All Together Beer