Huron County, Ontario – Huron County small businesses have six weeks left to apply for the Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) through the Digital Main Street (DMS) program. With an investment from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and administered by the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA), in partnership with the Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA), this program provides qualifying brick-and-motor small businesses with up to $2,500 to help adopt technology and meet their digital goals.
Grant applications will be accepted until September 30, 2023, or until grant funds are exhausted. Eligible businesses can start the application process now by creating or entering their account, and then completing the digital assessment and online training through the Digital Main Street Portal at digitalmainstreet.ca.
Any business that received the DTG prior to June 21, 2022, is eligible to receive an additional $2,500 grant to enhance their use of digital technologies. Businesses can see if they are eligible by logging on to the DMS Portal or by contacting Huron County’s Digital Service Squad.
“Since the Digital Main Street Grant program launched in 2019, there have been $617,500 in grants distributed directly to local small businesses in Huron County,” said Vicki Lass, Director of Economic Development. “Digital Main Street programs have proven to be extremely successful in helping our local businesses expand their digital offerings, allowing them to broaden their client base and pivot to a stronger online presence.”
“The Digital Main Street Digital Transformation Grant program is a vitally important and immensely valuable resource for small businesses,” says Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA. “We join Huron County in celebrating the success of the program that continues to provide their local businesses with the knowledge, resources, and training to revitalize their operations with an expanded digital presence.”
“Seeing the continued impact of this program in communities all across Ontario speaks volumes to businesses realizing the importance of continued adoption of digital for their business” adds John Kiru, Executive Director of TABIA. “We look forward to celebrating this milestone with the team in Huron County and look forward to continuing our great work together in the region.”
Digital Main Street provides one-on-one assistance through the Digital Service Squad (DSS) Grant program to all Huron County businesses. Local DSS staff can provide businesses with free digital transformation coaching until mid-March 2024. This can include, but is not limited to:
- A digital assessment of a business’s digital literacy.
- Access to a free online video-based digital transformation training program.
- Website – review, updating, creation, best practices.
- Social media – support, best practices, advertising, and more.
- Technology – support and guidance for the best options of technology tools to implement for the business.
- Free 360⁰ photo session for the business.
- Analytics – Review of a business’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Google Business Profile, etc.
- Miscellaneous digital transformation support: loyalty programs, point of sale systems, e-commerce, back-end business operations support.
- And more!
Businesses needing assistance to apply to the Digital Transformation Grant and/or wanting online digital support, contact the County of Huron’s Digital Service Squad at (519) 524-3394 ext. 6 or smallbusiness@huroncounty.ca.
About Huron County Economic Development
The Economic Development Department, with its many partners, supports a diverse, thriving, and sustainable economy and rural community. This team brings people and ideas together to positively impact the economy and quality of life in Huron County.
The Economic Development Department offers Huron’s businesses, residents, and visitors access to high quality, low or no-fee, services, programs, and funding opportunities.
About Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA)
OBIAA is the network that represents unique and vibrant BIAs across Ontario. The Association supports and advocates on behalf of its members through the building and nurturing of strong relationships and partnerships. OBIAA is a leader in the development and sharing of information, tools, resources and best practices, and is the ONE voice on common issues.
About Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street is a program that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of street-level team members who help main street businesses grow and manage their operations through technology.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, and Lightspeed. The program is delivered Pan Canada in support of small business thanks to the support of all three levels of government. www.digitalmainstreet.ca