Nova Scotia offers extra $12 million to businesses hit by latest COVID-19 lockdown

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia is offering more than $12 million in additional support to businesses hit by the latest COVID-19 lockdown in the province.

Inclusive Economic Growth Minister Labi Kousoulis said today the new Small Impact Business Grant targets businesses directly affected by the provincewide lockdown that went into effect last Wednesday.

Eligible businesses will receive a one-time grant equalling 15 per cent of their sales revenue for April 2019 or February 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000.

Kousoulis says newer businesses established after March 15, 2020, will see the grant amount calculated as 15 per cent of the sales revenue for any month from April 2020 to March 2021.

The minister says the government will also defer certain administrative fees until June 30 for businesses that were required to close or were significantly curtailed by the current public health restrictions, adding that workers’ compensation premium payments will be deferred until the end of July.

Under the lockdown, non-essential indoor services and businesses are closed until at least May 12.

Kousoulis is also announcing the opening of applications for two other support programs.

Starting today, businesses can apply for the Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program, which will provide qualified tourism operators with a 50 per cent rebate on the first six months of commercial property tax paid in 2021-22.

Applications will open May 10 for the Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program, where eligible businesses can receive a one-time rebate of a portion of their property taxes.

Businesses can choose a rebate of $1,000 or 50 per cent of the commercial real property taxes paid for the final six months of the 2020-21 tax year.

Feature image by iStock.com/shaunl