KITCHENER -- The Region of Waterloo announced Wednesday that it would be dedicating $1.1 million to two programs that will support the local business community during the pandemic. The first initiative is the COVID-Safe Ambassador Program for small and medium-sized enterprises, which is free and voluntary for businesses. Through the program, students from post-secondary health programs will be hired and trained to act as ambassadors to help educate businesses on the province’s colour-coded stages. According to the region, businesses who work with the program’s ambassadors will receive a sticker to be displayed in the workplace’s window. The region said the initiative is meant to provide business owners, employees and patrons with additional confidence in the safety of the workplace.