Business Economic Recovery Consultations: Phase 2

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Consultation has concluded

It’s time for another check-in. While the City of Barrie consulted with businesses back in the spring, the needs of local businesses – as well as the needs of the people who support them – have evolved as COVID-19 continues.

That’s why, throughout November, we’re offering a public survey, sector-focused consultations, and other online feedback tools (see below) to help businesses continue to stay resilient during these tough times.


Moving Barrie’s Economic Recovery Forward

In June, the City of Barrie released the COVID 19- Economic Recovery Action Plan. It was developed after extensive consultations with local business leaders and community members.

Since then, the City has been busy with implementation. The plan includes 33 actions to help businesses and we’ve already delivered on 20 actions, including:

  • Assisting businesses in going digital
  • Implementing free downtown WiFi to help local commerce
  • Waiving patio application fees
  • Providing free parking options
  • Transitioning Dunlop Street parking into a loading zone for curbside pickup
  • Offering a food-safety certification program
  • Creating a program that grants businesses outdoor space to offer their services (Business in the Parks)
  • Transforming Dunlop Street into a pedestrian-only zone (Open Air Dunlop)
  • Offering a month’s worth of Culture Days events
  • Providing business recovery toolkits
  • Launching a “support local” marketing campaign


How You Can Get Involved In Phase 2

Although the Federal and Provincial governments play a large role in delivering COVID-19 relief programming, we play an important part, too. The City of Barrie is uniquely positioned to leverage the power of community to unite residents and businesses to generate new ideas and respond to community needs. We look forward to new and creative ideas that will help the City respond to COVID-19 moving forward.

1) Take the Economic Recovery Survey


2) Join a Virtual Consultation

The City and its partners are committed to helping Barrie businesses and residents adapt to evolving economic conditions. In addition to holding 14 sector-specific consultations throughout November, the City is offering two virtual sessions open to the broader public. Register for a sector-specific or public consultation session to discuss your experiences and give feedback on how we can continue to respond to business needs during COVID-19.

Register for Public Consultation Session 1: Tuesday, November 10, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Register for Public Consultation Session 2: Monday, November 30, 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

If you represent a business from the construction, manufacturing, arts and culture, service-based, downtown, tourism or real estate sector, please register for a virtual sector-specific consultation session by contacting invest@barrie.ca.


3) Check out the Share Your Ideas and Community Forum tools below!


It’s time for another check-in. While the City of Barrie consulted with businesses back in the spring, the needs of local businesses – as well as the needs of the people who support them – have evolved as COVID-19 continues.

That’s why, throughout November, we’re offering a public survey, sector-focused consultations, and other online feedback tools (see below) to help businesses continue to stay resilient during these tough times.


Moving Barrie’s Economic Recovery Forward

In June, the City of Barrie released the COVID 19- Economic Recovery Action Plan. It was developed after extensive consultations with local business leaders and community members.

Since then, the City has been busy with implementation. The plan includes 33 actions to help businesses and we’ve already delivered on 20 actions, including:

  • Assisting businesses in going digital
  • Implementing free downtown WiFi to help local commerce
  • Waiving patio application fees
  • Providing free parking options
  • Transitioning Dunlop Street parking into a loading zone for curbside pickup
  • Offering a food-safety certification program
  • Creating a program that grants businesses outdoor space to offer their services (Business in the Parks)
  • Transforming Dunlop Street into a pedestrian-only zone (Open Air Dunlop)
  • Offering a month’s worth of Culture Days events
  • Providing business recovery toolkits
  • Launching a “support local” marketing campaign


How You Can Get Involved In Phase 2

Although the Federal and Provincial governments play a large role in delivering COVID-19 relief programming, we play an important part, too. The City of Barrie is uniquely positioned to leverage the power of community to unite residents and businesses to generate new ideas and respond to community needs. We look forward to new and creative ideas that will help the City respond to COVID-19 moving forward.

1) Take the Economic Recovery Survey


2) Join a Virtual Consultation

The City and its partners are committed to helping Barrie businesses and residents adapt to evolving economic conditions. In addition to holding 14 sector-specific consultations throughout November, the City is offering two virtual sessions open to the broader public. Register for a sector-specific or public consultation session to discuss your experiences and give feedback on how we can continue to respond to business needs during COVID-19.

Register for Public Consultation Session 1: Tuesday, November 10, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Register for Public Consultation Session 2: Monday, November 30, 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

If you represent a business from the construction, manufacturing, arts and culture, service-based, downtown, tourism or real estate sector, please register for a virtual sector-specific consultation session by contacting invest@barrie.ca.


3) Check out the Share Your Ideas and Community Forum tools below!


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    *Note that this survey is intended for business owners but feedback is welcomed from all community members. 

    Impacts of Covid-19 have been broad in scope with some sectors experiencing modest disruption and others being devastated.  We want to hear from you and better understand your experience and how you have been coping during these difficult times.

    Consultation has concluded
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