The Region of Waterloo, all seven area municipalities, Waterloo EDC (Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation) and local partners have created the Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BESTWR) to help all types of local businesses cope with challenges caused by COVID-19.
“Collectively, this group will be a point of contact for governments as they make rapid decisions to support the evolving economic and business environment, and will help to promptly disseminate these decisions to our business community. We will also be advocating on behalf of Waterloo Region firms to ensure their urgent needs and concerns are heard, clearly articulated and addressed,” said Tony LaMantia, President & CEO, Waterloo EDC, who will serve as Chair of the BESTWR.
The leadership team also includes Iain Klugman (Communitech), Ian McLean (Greater KW Chamber of Commerce) and Greg Durocher (Cambridge Chamber of Commerce).
In addition to those noted above, members of BESTWR will include representatives from the Region and all area municipalities, and representatives from many other organizations engaged in supporting our local businesses and the local economy.
This group will encourage businesses to continue to reach out to their existing economic development contacts with any inquiries or needs, and common requirements will filter up through the Business and Economic Support Team. The group will also work closely with the Regional Pandemic Control Group to ensure a coordinated community response to the COVID -19 pandemic.
For some helpful resources and program support information for local businesses visit:
Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
Media contacts:
Bryan Stortz, Corporate Communications, Region of Waterloo, bstortz@regionofwaterloo.ca
Lucinda Wallace, VP Marketing & Corporate Development, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation, Lucinda.Wallace@waterlooedc.ca
