KENILWORTH – Wellington North Township has announced it received a $10,000 grant from Digital Main Street (DMS) to fund a Digital Service Squad to help downtown small businesses improve their online capabilities.
“We are excited by this opportunity to be able to assist main street small businesses,” said Wellington North’s economic development officer Dale Small in a Jan. 28 press release.
“A vibrant downtown is key to a strong community and because of this grant we will be able to provide our businesses with the opportunity to take advantage of trained specialists who can teach them how to use new technologies and provide tools and training in order to stay competitive in today’s digital world.”
Wellington North received the grant from the province as part of the DMS program to establish a Digital Service Squad (DSS).
The DDS will consist of trained specialists who will visit and assist businesses at no cost to help them set up Google Business and conduct a digital readiness assessment.
“Our government is committed to helping small businesses improve their competitiveness, create jobs and attract investment,” states Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
“Our investment in the Digital Main Street program will help ensure that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.”
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece said, “Gaining the experience necessary to compete in the digital age is a key to success.”
Digital Main Street is a joint program funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Ontario BIA Association.
“The Township of Wellington North is playing an important role in helping downtown small businesses in the municipality take advantage of Digital Main Street and digital technologies,” said Kay Matthews, executive director of the Ontario BIA Association.
“Our small main street businesses are a critical contributor to Ontario’s economic, social and cultural health, and it’s vital that we work together to ensure their success. Digital Main Street will help the downtown businesses of Wellington North compete in an increasingly digital world.”
Wellington North’s economic development office works in partnership with the Arthur and Mount Forest Chambers of Commerce and community BIAs with the joint mission “to promote and connect businesses, volunteers and the community to make Wellington North a vibrant and progressive place to live, work, visit and shop,” states the township press release.
For more information about the program visit digitalmainstreet.ca.
