Ontario’s Digital Main Street program helps local small businesses with $487,345 to build and expand online stores during COVID-19

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

Over 500 area small businesses were contacted throughout 2020, with 72 receiving Digital Transformation Grants, and many others accessing help from hired local individuals to go digital and increase their e-commerce sales. A total of $487,345 in funding has been provided to small businesses in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes by Ontario in Digital Service and Business Grants since the program was announced.  Read the full story here.