NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Today, The Chamber is pleased to announce an additional $20,000 to the Small Business PPE Support Grant thanks to the new partnership with Lake Shore Gold. The announcement comes as the Chamber begins distributing the first round of grants to 30 successful applicants in Timmins and Chapleau.
The PPE program assists local small businesses and organizations, with less than $2 million in annual sales, who were deemed non-essential in March. These businesses have not been generating revenues and will subsequently incur extraordinary expenses in order to comply with new requirements as a result of COVID-19.
“This new contribution from Lake Shore Gold is welcomed news to business owners who are in the midst of retrofitting their businesses with safety precautions as the economy slowly begins to reopen,” said Val Venneri, President of the Chamber. “To date, the Chamber and founding funder Newmont Porcupine have approved a total of 30 successful applicants totalling grants in the amount of $22,000 and this latest contribution by Lake Shore Gold will seek to help many more entrepreneurs with the purchase of PPE.”
With the PPE grant - now bolstered by Lake Shore Gold - local businesses will be better positioned to accelerate economic recovery and protect the health and safety of workers and the community of Timmins. The program continues as part of the recommendations of the Chamber and City Joint Business Continuity and Recovery Advisory Task Force and now boasts $120,000 funneling back into our business community.
“Lake Shore Gold understands the important role our local small- and medium-sized enterprises play in the overall health of our economy,” states David Bernier, Country Manager for Pan American Silver. “Not only do they contribute to local charities, non-profits, sports teams, and our tax base, they also serve to enrich the lives of our employees and having this opportunity to provide support will ensure they can continue to operate safely.”
The Chamber continues to administer the suite of programming supported by founding funder Newmont Porcupine and in partnership with The Venture Centre, MNP LLP, and now Lake Shore Gold. Any business wanting to apply for initiatives under the Timmins Emergency Business Fund’s are encouraged to visit The Chamber’s website for more information.
“The Chamber is still encouraging business leaders to contribute to the Personal Protective Equipment Support Grant,” added Venneri. “If you are interested in providing support to the fund, contact the Chamber.”
To apply to any of the Chamber’s support programs, visit https://www.timminschamber.on.ca/support.html
To view the Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Toolkit, visit www.timminschamber.on.ca/COVID-19
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