Next Steps for the Kingston Economic Recovery Team

As the economy begins to reopen over the coming weeks, one of my top priorities will be working with the Kingston Economic Recovery Team to help bring businesses and employment back to full strength. The Kingston Economic Recovery Team (KERT) was formed last spring to help our local tourism sector, restaurants and retail stores, cultural and personal services industries and other businesses and organizations that were most impacted by the pandemic. Over the last year KERT has been focused on offering relief and helping businesses adapt to ever changing public health restrictions and lockdowns. This has included supporting buy local campaigns, coordinating tax deferrals and business support funding for impacted businesses, and helping displaced workers find new employment.

With vaccination rates on the rise and the lifting of public health restrictions on the horizon, a strategic and more long-term rebuilding effort can begin. This week City Council formally approved an extension of KERT for another year so we can put in place additional projects and initiatives to get businesses back on their feet and help everyone in our community find quality jobs and career opportunities. One thing that has been very clear over the last year is how much we can accomplish when we work together. It’s been incredible to see entrepreneurs, business support organizations, academic researchers and community agencies all collaborating to help businesses and workers. I’m confident with this teamwork we will see rapid and strong economic recovery in Kingston.