The government of Ontario is committed to having more small businesses online. It has proved that by renewing its Digital Main Street program, which includes Digital Service Squads, which has helped thousands of businesses with one-on-one technology support. The province committed to an increased investment of $40 million over two years in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement to help Ontario businesses better compete at home and abroad.
Associate
Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, Nina Tangri said, “Main
street small businesses are the economic foundation of communities across
Ontario. Our government is supporting them in reaching new customers and new
markets through Digital Main Street. To date, we have helped more than 41,000
Ontario businesses and expect this funding will give 36,000 more businesses the
boost they need to raise their digital profile.”
The Digital Service Squads are usually comprised of students and recent graduates with strong backgrounds in marketing and technology that communities can access to provide to their business members. The members of these squads offer one-on-one technical help with critical things like website creation, digital assessments, social media advertising, and even e-commerce platforms.
The Digital Main
Street program offers three critical resources to small businesses in Ontario.
1.
Digital Service Squads offer
one-on-one help, and technical training wherein small business owners get targeted
support to get started, grow
their digital presence, and even grow their business. Applications for this
resource are now at the moment.
2.
ShopHERE helps businesses with
the creation of online stores via e-commerce platforms.
3.
Digital Transformation Grants
of up as much as $2,500 are provided to fund the implementation of digital
strategies for small businesses. Applications for this will open in the next
few months.
Vic Fedeli,
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, stated, “Ontario’s
small businesses are key to the strength of our economy. Through Digital Main
Street, we’re giving business owners and operators the tools they need to
strengthen their online presence and enhance their technical skills, so they
can better supply their customers, contribute to our economic stability and
create jobs.”
John Kiru,
Executive Director, TABIA & Founder, Digital Main Street, said, “As we
continue to build back our communities, it is more important now than ever that
we continue supporting our small businesses as they adjust to a new normal and
changing consumer behaviors. Ensuring they have access to digital adoption
support will be imperative to their continued revitalization and success. We
look forward to continuing our work with our project partners and increasing
our capacity to support small businesses across the province.”
Kay Matthews,
Executive Director, OBIAA, said, “Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial,
but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible. The
Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program for Ontario’s small businesses has
helped them embrace digital transformation to ensure their future
sustainability. OBIAA is delighted to once again work alongside the Digital
Main Street team with renewed funding from the province. The Digital Main
Street program’s resources, grants, training, and Digital Service Squad
assistance provide the means for more small businesses to adopt innovative
ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets and face the future with
optimism and confidence.”
For more
information, visit this
link.
Sources:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002036/ontario-bolsters-support-to-get-small-businesses-online
https://obiaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ontario-Bolsters-Support-to-Get-Small-Businesses-Online-Ontario-Newsroom.pdf
https://www.edcns.ca/ontario-bolsters-support-to-get-small-businesses-online/