Residents who received a parking ticket from the City could have the ticket cancelled if they provided proof of purchase from a Barrie restaurant in an amount equal to o​​r greater than the set fine, within five days after receiving the ticket. 

The program was in place for anyone receiving a ticket in paid parking areas for any period that restaurants were closed for in-person dining and restricted to take-out only due to COVID-19 mandates in 2022. The program did not apply to tickets related to safety matters, or overnight on-street parking restrictions.

Beginning in 2021, the Economic and Creative Development Department embarked on the City of Barrie’s first ever Business Data Survey to create a list of all Barrie businesses.

The City continues to collect business information through the survey to inform a comprehensive list of all Barrie businesses. This data allows the City to better understand existing business and industry classifications, business sectors, business longevity, and employment trends. If you are a Barrie business and have not submitted your data, please submit your business information.

From April 9 to April 25, 2021, Locallicious allowed Barrie's residents to try a diversity of delicious culinary experiences in our city. L​ocallicious was geared toward promoting the smaller independent restaurants, each with their own unique flavours and style. 

The Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA), City of Barrie and Tourism Barrie provided support to the 2021 event through a matching grant program with the provincial government’s Reconnect Festival and Event Program. The funding allowed festival organizers to waive restaurant participation fees this year, as well as provide support for takeout and PPE supplies. 

The Invest Barrie COVID-19 Business Response Action Plan includes Five Key Measures and supporting Action Items that will help protect the local economy and assist businesses with the supports needed to navigate these trying times. 

Invest Barrie will continue to monitor COVID-19 and will make changes when necessary, ensuring businesses are receiving the most current information and up-to-date programming.

The Barrie Together Recovery Kit is a set of tools to support businesses with COVID-19 recovery efforts.

The City has developed shared media materials with the themes “Barrie Together” and “Shopping Local”. We encourage businesses to use these in marketing efforts, along with “Mandatory Face Covering” and “Curbside Pickup” window decals and physical distancing floor stickers supplied by Invest Barrie as part of the kit.

Visit investbarrie.ca/covid-19-support to learn more and order a kit.

The City of Barrie joined Digital Main Street's ShopHERE powered by Google program, which helps independent businesses and artists build a digital presence and minimize the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local businesses and artists can apply for the program at digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere to get their online store built at no-cost.

The City of Barrie is launching a manufacturing forum for businesses to engage with one another to ask questions and provide solutions for their businesses during the ever-evolving time of COVID-19. If interested, please contact Nora Gavarre at Nora.Gavarre@barrie.caor call at 705-739-4220 ext. 4431

The Business in the Parks Pilot Program provides new opportunities for businesses to maximize their capacity and introduce new avenues for revenue generation. The idea for this program came about after consultations with the business community as part of the City’s Economic Recovery Action Plan.

Through this program, businesses can book time to use the outdoor space at Meridian Place, Sunnidale Park, or the Kiwanis Pavilion at Southshore Park for their business activities, operating in a closed format (i.e. participants have to pre-register to participate in the activity).

The Patios Everywhere Program is back again for 2021. This program is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended to support local restaurants and help increase capacity in a safe manner. The patio season will start on April 1, ending on November 30, and interested businesses are encouraged to apply. 

Barrie City Council approved $75,000 in new municipal funding for a one-year pilot partnership with Georgian College’s Department of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, aimed at delivering direct programming to businesses and entrepreneurs to aid in COVID-19 recovery.

The partnership will support companies in streamlining processes with advanced technology and help them increase revenues by identifying and developing new markets and opportunities. The programs will also focus on helping businesses execute projects affordably by sourcing skilled workers through co-op placements, leading to increased employment and a stronger talent pipeline from Georgian to local industry.

The $75,000 funding is in addition to $25,000 that Georgian will be receiving from the existing Economic & Creative Development budget.

During the one-year pilot, the City will assess the impact of funding, outcomes and benefits to business, with future recommendations for a second year of funding. The programs and resources will be rolled out to businesses in 2021.

As part of the Downtown Curbside Pickup Pilot Program, from December 2020 to December 2021, there were several temporary curbside pickup up spots in the downtown core, which offered free parking to consumers wanting to support local businesses.