BRAMPTON, ON (July 23, 2021) – Successful small businesses are essential to a thriving city, helping to create jobs, boost the economy and enhance our local neighbourhoods. COVID-19 has greatly impacted the greater Brampton community, and our small businesses – the backbone of our city – have been hit hard by the pandemic as a result of ongoing closures.
As we enter Step Three of the Province’s roadmap to reopen, our amazing Brampton businesses are doing everything they can to safely welcome customers and clients back. They are putting health and safety first, following all public health and safety measures and maintaining physical distancing where required.
For example, many businesses across Brampton are participating in StaySafe, a program that provides small to medium-sized businesses in Brampton with free COVID-19 rapid screening kits. Rapid antigen screening is a quick way to help identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases before they lead to workplace outbreaks, helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure swift economic recovery.
COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for small businesses. There to provide support and guidance continues to be the City of Brampton’s Entrepreneur Centre team, which has pivoted to offer programs and services in new and safe ways since the beginning of the global pandemic. The Centre is a one-stop source for information, guidance and professional advice on starting and running a successful business in Brampton.
“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the important role the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre plays in the Brampton business community, and we’ve been there every step of the way for our clients throughout the pandemic,” said Clare Barnett, Director, Economic Development, City of Brampton. “Our team is dedicated to helping Brampton businesses as we gradually and safely reopen in the city. Together with our residents, we will support them in their economic recovery.”
Here are a few tips on how you can explore, select and buy local:
- For anything you require, consider purchasing supplies from local retailers. Our small businesses were not always able to offer online shopping throughout the pandemic, and many were forced to close due to public health measures. For a full list of small Brampton businesses, visit the Support Local Brampton website.
- Promote your favourite businesses on social media! Leave them online reviews to refer others. Engage with local businesses through your social media accounts and show your support for Brampton businesses using a Support Local graphic and the hashtag #SupportLocalBrampton. A Support Local media pack can be downloaded here.
- Gift local! Purchase gift cards for friends and family from your favourite Brampton businesses. Once they visit, they may find new favourites, too!
- Refer friends and family by word of mouth. If you love a local business, those who know you will likely trust your opinion and try it out for themselves.
We’re all in this together, and all can make a difference.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our residents who have put health and safety first during the pandemic, we are well on track to see the people we’ve missed, participate in the activities we love and safely enjoy our favourite local businesses,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “Now more than ever, it is important that we support them on their path to recovery. Let’s confidently and safely support our businesses, and together, we will recover from COVID-19.”
Economic Recovery Strategy and Support Local
Since the onset of the pandemic, the City has remained committed to supporting the recovery and resilience of its small business community. In May 2020, Brampton City Council endorsed Brampton’s Economic Recovery Strategy to move forward with restarting the local economy. The Strategy aims to bring resiliency and competitive advantage to Brampton’s economy through advancing immediate and long-term actions in line with its four corner stones: Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Investment, Infrastructure, and Arts, Culture and Tourism.
One initiative of the Economic Recovery Strategy that plays a key role in supporting businesses and restarting the local economy is the Support Local campaign. Launched in May, 2020, the campaign encourages residents to Shop, Eat, Gift and Support Local. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on local businesses and they require support from the Brampton community now more than ever.
“Our Economic Recovery Strategy will play an essential role in helping us remove barriers and get back on track as we move forward from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Regional Councillor Michael Palleschi, Wards 2 and 6 and Co-lead, Economic Support Task Force. “Our small businesses community is essential to the success of our local economy, and by supporting, gifting, dining and exercising local, we can all do our part to help them right now.”
“We have seen many acts of kindness, support and community spirit from our residents and businesses as we have worked together to respond to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Regional Councillor Paul Vicente, Wards 1 & 5 and Co-lead, Economic Support Task Force. “If we all take part in the Support Local campaign, we can build on this momentum as we get back to better, and be there for our local businesses – the backbone of our community.”
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MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
