GUELPH – The Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, in partnership with the Downtown Guelph Business Association, Wellington County, Township of Centre Wellington and the BIAs of Elora, Fergus and Erin/Hillsburgh, has received a $115,000 grant from Digital Main Street Ontario.
The grant will be used to form a six-member Digital Service Squad (DSS) to help small downtown businesses across Wellington County use digital technologies to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Funding for the grant is provided by FedDev Ontario.
“I am thrilled that the Federal Government and OBIAA are investing $115,000 to help our local main street businesses use digital technologies to re-emerge from COVID-19 more successful and resilient than ever,” stated Wellington County Warden and Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton in a press release.
“Our downtown businesses attract visitors, create jobs, support families and make life better for everyone who calls Wellington County home. Thanks to the Federal Government and OBIAA for recognizing the importance of our main street businesses.”
Established in 2018, Digital Main Street Ontario was recently extended thanks to an investment of $42.5 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and $7.45 million from the Ministry for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT).
Digital Service Squads assist with several activities, including developing a Google My Business profile, enhancing their social media presence and providing support for basic website and e-commerce set-up.
Squads will also assist qualified small businesses with funding applications.
