MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
2021 REFLECTIONS ON RECOVERY Boosting Resilience after COVID-19
R estaurants, retailers, hotels, trav- el and tourist-related businesses, and personal services were among the pandemic’s hard- est hit, and the road to recovery for some sectors is still very long. But the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has been there, ev- ery step of the way, working hard to support our members and the broader business com- munity through pandemic economic recov- ery. In case you weren’t aware of the many initiatives we designed and administered in 2021, here is an overview: Dine-In Restaurant Relief Program This $9 million fund, part of the Province of Manitoba's $50 million Long-term Recovery Fund, addressed the ongoing losses of tradi- tional dine-in restaurants that pivoted to a delivery model amid pandemic shut-downs. When the program closed in July 2021, MCC and our partners at MRFA had received more than 700 applications from Manitoba
TRIP MB – Tourism Rebate Incentive Program
restaurant owners/operators, helping many avoid the possibility of permanent closure. Manitoba Business Matters Thanks to a grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada, MCC launched the Manitoba Business Matters microsite, and produced and delivered our “Coronavirus Survival Guide” to 40,000 Manitoba busi- nesses in March 2021. Throughout the past year, thanks to our 8 expert partners, we’ve provided pandemic-related resources in the areas of financial and legal matters, HR and employment issues, workplace wellness,
In summer 2021, we encouraged Manito- bans to explore the beauty of our own back- yard with a tourism rebate program. In total, more than 24,000 Manitobans took a trip or staycation on us, totalling more than $2.2 million in rebates for hotel nights, hotel-de- signed stay & play packages, and regular ad- mission fees at more than 30 Manitoba Star Attractions. The total sales to Manitoba’s hotel and attractions were over $5.5 million, for a trackable 2 to 1 return on investment. If all other consumer spending such as meals, transportation, and other purchases had been tracked, we estimate a 7 to 1 return on investment. Digital Manitoba Initiative (DMI) The $15 million DMI is helping businesses and non-profit organizations with digital transformation, offering a low-risk way to invest in and adopt digital technology. The MCC is administering the DMI, with funds allocated to enable local organizations to transition operations to digital platforms, and provide goods and services online. The fund consists of two streams to support im- mediately actionable projects: •TechUP: up to $5,000 for fundamental digital tools •PowerUP digital strategy funding of up to $25,000 to evolve business models, pro- cesses and operations, improve client/ customer experience, and increase pro- ductivity. Within one week of its opening on Oct. 21, the DMI had registered more than 1,000 applications.
health and safety, and more. Support Local Investments
As part of the federal government’s $33 million Shop Local initiative announced in June 2021, MCC received $1.1 million to in- vest in campaigns that promote small busi- ness and boost consumer confidence. MCC provided an infusion of $500,000 to scale up GoodLocal.ca; solicited applications from lo- cal chambers of commerce, and conducted a call for proposals from our broader not-for-
profit community. The flex- ible funding enabled Man- itoba’s business support organizations and industry associations to tailor cam- paigns to local pri- orities.
Thanks to a grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada, MCC launched the Manitoba Business Matters microsite, and produced and delivered our “Coronavirus Survival Guide” to 40,000 Manitoba businesses in March 2021.
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