COVID-19 Relief Effort Launched To Help 100 Local Businesses

Tuesday, 11 August 2020 14:26

The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Rural Oxford Economic Development are announcing the launch of a SafeStarter kit program, an affordable PPE kit to help local businesses. Each kit will include items like ten re-useable cotton masks, one face shield and more.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Rural Oxford Economic Development are announcing the launch a COVID-19 recovery effort designed to help businesses in Oxford County.

It is a SafeStarter kit program, which will provide 100 businesses an affordable PPE kit at a bulk order price, courtesy of a $25,000 grant from the Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund (OESF) administered through Community Futures Oxford.

General Manager of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Kim Whitehead says the hope is the funds will provide some relief for local businesses.

"As our community navigates the rules and costs involved with Stage 3 reopening of the economy, our hope is that the local sourcing and significant savings will help provide some relief for our businesses."

Economic Development Director for Rural Oxford EDC, Ronda Stewart says the relief was a response to help those in the community.

"This recovery effort was created in response to community need. Our plan was to deliver a simple, helpful, practical solution. We sourced bulk items locally so we could break them down and assemble 100 SafeStarter kits quickly to meet the current need."

Each of the SafeStarter kits is valued at $160.00 and will be sold to businesses for just $60+hst. This will save business owners time and money.

Each kit contains ten re-useable cotton masks, one box of 50 disposable masks, one face shield, 1L liquid hand sanitizer, 1Gal surface disinfectant (concentrate), four laminated Public Health signs, three circular floor decals, and a USB drive with COVID-19 and business resources.

Community Economic Development Coordinator for Community Futures Oxford Lindsay Wilson says they're happy this starter kit will help local businesses.

"The review committee received a number of quality project applications for the Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund. We're pleased that this SafeStarter kit initiative was approved and will be here to help local businesses in Stage 3.”

In order to help 100 companies in Oxford County, there is a limit of one kit per business. You can visit www.woodstockchamber.ca or www.ruraloxford.ca to order a SafeStarter kit.

You can also reach out to your local contact at one of the community partners, including Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, Ingersoll Chamber of Commerce, Norwich Chamber of Commerce and Oxford Rural Entrepreneurs (ORE).