August 2022 Newsletter

August Newsletter from the BIA

Welcome summer! The BIA board have been busy bees with lots of irons in the fire. Please keep an eye out for the AGM invite. Join us on the 31st for our AGM, a very missed event and a chance to mingle, learn about upcoming initiatives and programs and celebrate the community entrepreneurs that we are! As always any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to Julia or I. Hoping everyone gets to enjoy their summer with health and happiness.

B'good,

Christina Curry
BIA Chair

Après Trail Pilot Program Launches with Local Businesses

Last week saw the launch of the Après Trail Pilot program, consisting of promotion of various local businesses through advertisements built into the PAIY parking app. The PAIY app has been rolled out to two trails within the township (with more to come), to provide support of the following objectives:

Sustain tourism by improving trail services infrastructure, and amenities
Establish stable funding for trail infrastructure and maintenance
Increase visits by trail users to the downtown BIA area (via the Après Trail Pilot)
Boost local economy through visitor spending

In addition to the pilot, cards have been distributed to the participating BIA merchants for display purposes or for including with customer's purchases. A second card was distributed to non-participating stakeholders to provide information about the trail sustainability program in general. See below for both designs! Contact bia@uxbridge.ca if you wish to receive a supply of these cards.

Local businesses wishing to register on the PAIY app to utilize trails free of charge should visit the Trail Sustainability site on the Township of Uxbridge website.

If you wish to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to promote your business, service or particular line of product to thousands of out-of-town visitors for FREE, or for further assistance or information on the program please email Heather Gayman.

Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC)’s 20th Annual Farm Tour

The event will be held in Clarington at Sargent Family Dairy (8734 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen) on Thursday, September 15, 2022. All BIA business members are invited to learn about Durham’s vital agricultural industry from agriculture professionals through presentations, hands-on demonstrations and visual displays.

Please note that the farm tour is popular and space is limited. Your response is required by August 19, 2022 by replying to daac@durham.ca. A buffet lunch will be served; please advise of any dietary requirements.

Uxbridge BIA 2022 AGM

Save the Date! Wednesday, August 31st from 7-9 p.m. at the Senior’s Centre This year’s HYBRID format allows you to join virtually or in-person. Chat with the BIA Board of Management, mingle with your fellow business owners, enjoy nibbles from local vendors and peruse several exhibits. This invitation is open to all BIA Business Members to attend! Watch your email and the Cosmos Township page for an official invite to follow.

$2,500 Digital Transformation Grants NOW Available

The BIA is thrilled to let you know that applications are now being accepted for the new round of the $2,500 Digital Main Street Digital Transformation Grants! Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2022, or until funds are fully exhausted. There are a limited number of grants available, so apply early!

The Digital Main Street program is an exciting initiative that is available across Ontario thanks to renewed funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, in partnership with the Toronto Association of BIAs and the Ontario BIA Association, to help brick-and-mortar small businesses improve how they use digital technologies to promote and run their businesses. Details and eligibility are available here.

39th Annual Township of Uxbridge Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament

Proceeds raised by this event will be used solely to support Uxbridge non-profit organizations and individuals who approach the Township Council seeking financial assistance for various activities or events that will ultimately benefit the residents of Uxbridge, whether directly or through the enrichment of the community.

Friday, August 26th, 2022
Wooden Sticks Golf Club,
40 Elgin Park Drive
$300.00 per person or $1,200.00 for a foursome

The staff at Wooden Sticks promise a tournament to remember with the highest level of service including the following:

Scheduled tee-times starting at 9:00 a.m. with option to select a preferred tee time.
Prize table for your choice of a wonderful gift after registration.
A box breakfast will be provided to golfers teeing off before 10:30 a.m.
A box lunch for golfers teeing off after 10:30 a.m.
A set menu lunch or dinner depending on your arrival back to the clubhouse.
Prizes for the top teams.
On-course contests including a putting contest included in the price below.
The chance to win $10,000 in the Hole-In-One contest!

Hole sponsors and in-kind donations are gratefully accepted by Laura Rupprecht at (905) 852-9181 x 220. Pre-registration is required.

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Important information regarding employment standards in Ontario:

Extension of the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit
The end of temporary rules that apply during the “COVID-19 Period”
A Special Industry Regulation to be revoked

The COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit (WIPB) has been extended to March 31, 2023. It includes:

up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) for eligible employees who take time off work because of certain reasons related to COVID-19, and
an employer reimbursement program.

This extension means eligible employers will continue to be entitled to reimbursement for the amount of infectious disease emergency leave pay that they pay to their employees, up to $200 per employee per day taken. Eligible employers must make their application within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee, or by July 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.

Learn more about Ontario.ca/COVIDworkerbenefit or call the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Information Centre at 1-888-999-2248 or TTY (for hearing impaired) at 1-866-567-8893. As well, certain temporary rules in effect during the “COVID-19 Period” END on July 30, 2022. Learn more about temporary changes to ESA rules due to COVID-19 and read the regulation (O. Reg. 228/20).