Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member,

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ round two of micro-grants

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and we know it’s been especially difficult for our downtown businesses. To help, we’re once again giving out micro-grants to qualifying small and medium-sized BIZ members who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant recipients can use the funds for advertising, promotion, signage, rent, repairs, beautification, or any other business expenses.

Applications will open Tuesday, May 11 at 9:00a.m. CDT on the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ website. Grants will be given to qualifying Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum of 10 grants are earmarked for supporting Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour-owned businesses.

Manitoba Bridge Grant update

The Manitoba government announced a fourth round of Manitoba Bridge Grant installments. If you have already applied and received a Manitoba Bride Grant, you will receive the fourth grant automatically.

The Province also announced additional funding for restaurants to help cover the costs of food waste, employee wages, maintenance or insurance.

For more information, please read the Province’s May 10 news release.

If you haven’t already done so, visit the Province’s website to apply for a Manitoba Bridge Grant.

Second round of City of Winnipeg grant could be coming

Two City Councillors will introduce a motion later this week at the Standing Policy Committee on Finance meeting to extend support to local businesses through the Economic Support Grant Program. This could result in another round of grants for eligible businesses. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

Other supports available

Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program

• Funded by the Manitoba government and administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program received additional funding on May 10.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

• Funded by the Manitoba government and administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program received additional funding on May 10.
• Applications are open until June 2021.

Canada Emergency Wages Subsidy (CEWS)

• Canadian employers who have seen a drop in revenue may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages
• Next deadline: May 20, 2021.
• Next period opens: June 6, 2021.

Lockdown Support

• Additional funds from the federal government are available to businesses that have had to close or significantly limit their business activities as a result of public health orders.
• Funds are retroactive to September 27, 2020, until June 2021.

Other federal financial support, loans, etc. Visit this page for information on financial supports including:

• The Canada Emergency Business Account
• Regional Relief and Recovery Funds
• Support for Indigenous businesses
• Black Entrepreneurship Program
• Large employer financing

We will keep you updated as new support programs become available.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions:
204-958-4640
info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ