Digital Main Street Program By Chamber Of Commerce Is Offering To Help Small Businesses Digitally Transform

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is re-launching the Digital Main Street program for all Peterborough area businesses, a free program meant to help businesses digitally transform.

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The Chamber has received a grant from the Digital Main Street program for a two-year Digital Service Squad program, which provides small business owners with tools, personalized technical support and access to funding.

The Digital Main Street program is being run locally by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with acorn30 to boost the local economy and empower small businesses across the region to navigate new tools to remain competitive.

“It’s a privilege to once again be able to offer these resources to the local business community,” says Stuart Harrison, President and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. “Investing in digital isn’t a one-time thing – it’s about continuing to invest in streamlining your processes, reaching new markets, and creating a better customer experience. Having this program available for two years will help us work with businesses more long-term for a stronger future.”

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street (DMS), with trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses, at no cost, to help them complete an online assessment and to introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills.

This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses with the development of their Digital Transformation Plan and then with the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

To qualify for the Digital Transformation Grant, businesses owners must:

• Have a permanent brick-and-mortar location in Ontario

• Employ 1-50 employees

• Pay commercial property tax either directly or through commercial rent

• Be a registered business in Ontario and/or incorporated

Applications for the Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) opened on June 21 with eligible brick-and-mortar small businesses able to apply for a $2,500 grant to adopt digital tools and techniques. The current intake period for application will remain open until October 31 (or until funds have been exhausted).

For more information about how to apply to the DTG or to access digital tools and training to improve your business, visit https://digitalmainstreet.ca/ to register on Digital Main Street and begin the journey.

“Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial, but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA. “OBIAA is delighted to work once again alongside the Digital Main Street team and is thrilled to support Peterborough’s squad. The Digital Main Street program’s resources, grants, training, and Digital Service Squad assistance provide the means for more small businesses in communities across Peterborough to adopt innovative ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets, and face the future with optimism and confidence.”

To book a free consultation with a Digital Service Squad Team Member, contact Jacie Condon Houghton at 705-201-1663 or Jacie@acorn30.com.

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