The provincial government has opened applications for the Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate, to reimburse small businesses for the investments they made to adapt their services as a result of COVID-19.
“While many small businesses have been adversely impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, they have also been incredibly innovative in adapting their operations to protect public health and reduce the spread of the virus,” said Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison, in a press release.
The rebate is available to small businesses that employ less than 100 people who were forced to change their services to adapt to the pandemic.
“Small businesses are critical to our economy in Saskatchewan,” said Harrison. “Our government will continue to support the small business community as we work towards economic recovery, and this Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate is one more tool to support them.”
Adaptations can include changing the use of square footage, installing barriers or other physical infrastructure to comply with safety guidelines and upgrading websites or other technology to build an e-commerce presence.
It could also include renovations, start-up costs for digi-tools to offer curbside pickup or delivery, or lasting equipment like sanitation stations, but does not include staff wages, cost of personal protective equipment or cleaning products.
Businesses applying to the rebate program can do so until Mar. 31, provided they plan to continue operating and experienced at least a 30 per cent decline in revenue due to COVID-19. A minimum of $300 in expenditures is required, and they must have been spent between April 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021.
Those eligible will receive a reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of their expenditures, to a maximum of $5,000 for an expenditure of $10,000.
Application documents are online, and more information can be found by calling 1 (844) 800-8688, emailing [email protected] or visiting the government's website here.
