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OTTAWA — The federal government is adding $600 million to a fund to help small- and medium-sized businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic, Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly said Friday.
The announcement brings total support through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to more than $1.5 billion.
The government says the fund has already helped more than 12,000 businesses struggling because of the pandemic, which has hit everything from main street boutiques to hotels and restaurants.
The relief and recovery fund, administered through federal regional development agencies, is intended to help enterprises that might not be eligible for other pandemic-related assistance.
Of the new money, almost $456 million will go to small- and medium-sized operations facing financial pressure to help them keep employees and cover costs.

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