A local business improvement association has gotten some support as it adapts to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Belle River On-the-Lake Business Improvement Association (BIA) has received $18,000 from Digital Main Street Ontario, for a Digital Service Squad (DSS), designed to help small businesses use technology to make adjustments in their business plans.
"It will be a huge help for our small businesses in Lakeshore and will definitely increase their digital presence, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic," said Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain in a media release.
FedDev Ontario, the federally-funded program promoting business and technology growth in Ontario, funded the grant. Digital Main Street Ontario was buoyed recently with a $42.5 million federal investment, plus $7.45 million from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.
"Ontario's small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the keystone of our economic recovery. That is why we have invested in Digital Main Street to help these enterprises adapt to doing business in a digital world, and take advantage of the record number of people shopping online," said Melanie Joly, federal Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. "Congratulations to Belle River-On the Lake BIA on the launch of your Digital Service Squad. The work you're doing with small businesses in Lakeshore will help keep our main streets vibrant, support good, local jobs and help our economy come back strong."
Now, a group will soon start visiting businesses in the Puce-to-Belle River Corridor, along with Comber, St. Joachim, Stoney Point and the BIA. These are trained specialists who will meet with small businesses to provide a plan on enhancing their digital presence, at no cost to the company.
The DSS will also help qualified small businesses in applying for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant. The application includes an online assessment, online training modules and the development of a digital business plan.
