FORT ERIE (January 12, 2021) Last night, Town Council approved recommendations from staff to temporarily waive all business licence fees, save and except short-term rentals, for 2021 to assist businesses during COVID-19. However, new businesses and businesses that require an annual licence renewal are still required to apply for a 2021 business licence from the Town of Fort Erie as in the past.

“Over the past 10 months, members of the business community have been uniquely challenged in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic from temporary closures to increased operating costs. Fort Erie businesses continue to face historic challenges and we will continue to support them as much as possible,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop.

Since the pandemic started in March, the Town’s Economic Development and Tourism Services has provided businesses with ongoing support regarding COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, restriction updates, government support programs, shop local initiatives and more.

It is estimated that waiving business licencing fees for 2021 will result in a business licencing revenue reduction of about $20,000. The plan is to recoup this financial loss through money received in Phase 1 of the Government of Canada’s Safe Restart Agreement. 

To read more about the Town’s COVID-19 response, please visit https://covid19.forterie.ca.

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