Whether you came downtown to see cars, the Pride Parade, Theodore Tugboat, or any one of our lovely local businesses in June, we hope you had a good time.
Amidst all the sights and signs, you may have seen a new, but very common, display this year: Help Wanted.
The causes are many, but the common thread is that our hospitality, retail, and tourism businesses – across town, not just downtown – are struggling to keep their businesses staffed and ready for customers.
This is a big problem. If you thought waiting for the world to re-open and dealing with a serious case of cabin fever is bad, try being the business owner waiting to capitalize on that opportunity and finding it impossible to keep your doors open!
In partnership with Kingston Accommodation Partners, Downtown Kingston BIA and Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Kingston Economic Development Corporation recently launched a six-week pilot program with KEYS Job Centre. This Tourism Job Connector program was designed to help businesses caught in a staffing crunch during this most crucial season of the year.
If you missed the boat on this, don’t worry. Organizations like ours continue to advocate on your behalf to secure more support, and a second offering of this Job Connector program is penciled in for August. Stay tuned.
For the tourists, including staycationers, reading: thank you for supporting our city, and thank you for your patience as we all work to find that new normal.