23 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M arch 10,2022 insidehalton.com Explore and enjoy the outdoors this March Break Staying physically active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being - it boosts energy levels, can improve sleep and reduce stress. As families across Halton get ready for March Break, I encourage everyone to plan some active outdoor fun! Our communities have many trails, activities and natural spaces to get out and enjoy. Here are a few ways you can enjoy the outdoors: Continued support from Halton's Small Business Centre Throughout the pandemic, Halton's local business owners and operators have adjusted their services to keep staff and customers safe. Through increasing online sales, taking phone orders or coordinating curbside pick-up and contactless delivery, businesses have demonstrated their ability to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances. Our Small Business Centre team remains here to help businesses navigate the supports available and succeed in today's changing economy. There are many ways to connect with us or access updates on resources available to you: HaltonHighlights March2022 This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers. Meetings at Halton Region 03 10 22 Regional Council meetings are taking place through web conferencing until further notice. Videos will be posted to halton.ca. Visit halton.ca for the full schedule. We all have a role in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Gary Carr, Regional Chair Maximizing infrastructure investment with Halton's top credit rating Halton has earned a top credit rating fromMoody's Investors Service for the 34th consecutive year! The agency affirmed their credit opinion on January 20, 2022, providing the Region and its Local Municipalities with continued access to the best capital financing rates available. By unlocking the lowest financing rates possible, our top credit rating helps public funds go further when we complete major transportation, water and wastewater projects. By minimizing the long-term costs of large-scale construction, it allows us to deliver maximum value for taxpayers while maintaining our high quality of life. Moody's analysis praised the Region's ability to achieve positive results despite external pressures, like the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, S&P Global Ratings also upheld its top rating for Halton, and this distinction is critical to preserving our financial position as we keep pace with community growth. To learn more about Halton Region's financial information, including annual budgets, reports and more, please visit halton.ca. March Break is also the perfect time for you or your family to get the COVID-19 vaccine or catch-up with the latest dose available to you. Ensuring your family is fully vaccinated (and boosted, if eligible) is critical to protecting yourself and your loved ones from severe illness. There are many options available in our community to get vaccinated, including Halton Region's Community and three Paediatric clinics - featuring our team of Halton Heroes and a friendly, highly skilled clinic staff! To learn more, visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines. Discover a local conservation area: Plan a trip to a community destination like Bronte Creek Provincial Park, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Bruce Trail or a Conservation Halton Park. From hikes to educational activities, they offer fun adventures for everyone. Visit a local park: Spend an afternoon at a nearby green space! You can play on the playground or in the field, skate on an outdoor rink or check out a nearby trail. Explore and enjoy your neighbourhood:Organize some fun in your neighbourhood, such as scavenger hunts, walking or biking to a local shop or restaurant. register for small business webinars, boot camp sessions or entrepreneurial programs; book a one-on-one virtual consultation with one of our experts; access and bookmark our COVID-19 Resources for Businesses webpage, our central hub of the latest information from all levels of government; and sign up our Small Business Centre email newsletter to stay in the know. To learn more about our business support services or to connect with a business consultant today, visit our Small Business Centre webpage on halton.ca or call 311.