Yakabuski gives update on Digital Main Street program

The following information was received on Jan.21 from John Yakabuski, MPP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke:

Ontario’s Digital Main Street Program and Student Digital Service Squads were launched as a $57 million partnership between the Ontario and federal governments. This partnership is helping to connect tech-savvy students, providing $2,500 in government grants and online training for local small businesses who need help launching and expanding their online stores – while government closures remain in place.

Throughout 2020, 15 local Pembroke small businesses received Digital Transformation Grants, while many others accessed help from hired local students to go digital and increase their e-commerce sales. Ontario provided a total of $51,890 in funding to help local Pembroke small businesses transform digitally.

“Eastern Ontario’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our community,” said Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski. “The Digital Service Squads are helping our businesses transition online, allowing them to access new customers safely and reliably. By choosing to shop local, we are helping our community and local businesses with the support that they need.”

Currently, only about 60 percent of Ontario’s small enterprises have a website, and only 7 percent accept online payment. Through Digital Main Street, Ontario businesses are adopting new tools that will allow them to reach a wider customer base and help them weather the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Students working in the squad program assess a business’s digital literacy and provide:

  • Information on how to access the Digital Main Street digital transformation training program
  • Help in creating a Digital Transformation Plan and applying for and spending the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant
  • Support to create or update a website and adopt best practices
  • Advice on social media promotion and advertising
  • Technological support and recommendations on tools for specific business needs
  • Advice on additional digital transformation support including loyalty programs, point-of-sale systems, ecommerce and back-end business operations support.

Digital Service Squads across the province are already on track to help thousands of small businesses across Ontario develop their online offerings. This is meeting a critical need for many Ontario businesses as they transition to online storefronts.

The program is administered by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association, which works with participating municipalities, Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). The Digital Service Squads are an important part of the Digital Main Street platform that is expected to help up to 22,900 Ontario businesses create and enhance their online presence and generate jobs for more than 1,400 students.

Ferizovic,R.,Minister’s Office MNRF(2021,Jan.21) Ontario’s Digital Main Street Program Helps Local Pembroke Small Businesses Build and Expand Online Stores During COVID-19 [media release]

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