The program helps local businesses put their product or service online so they can market globally. Ten small businesses received Digital Transformation Grants of $2,500. A further $25,000 funded Student Digital Service Squads, a group of hired local students, who assisted many businesses with going digital and increasing their e-commerce sales.
“The Digital Service Squads are helping our businesses transition online, allowing them to access new customers safely and reliably," says said MPP Vic Fedeli. "By choosing to shop locally we are helping our businesses stay in business.”
“ Not only did the funds strengthen our online presence but also enhanced my technical skills as an entrepreneur,".said Katie Bevan, Owner of The Farm.
Local recipients of the $2500 Digital Transformation Grant include:
- Le Voyageur Inn – Mattawa
- Vested Interest – Callander
- Partners Billards - North Bay
- Stix n Stones - North Bay
- The Farm - North Bay
- London Underground - North Bay
- Rug a Roo – Callander
- Timeless Staging – Corbeil
- Bee at your Service – Corbeil
- Buckstone - Callander
Students working in the squad program assess a business’s digital literacy and provide:
- Information on how to access the Digital Main Street digital transformation training program
- Help in creating a Digital Transformation Plan and applying for and spending the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant
- Support to create or update a website and adopt best practices
- Advice on social media promotion and advertising
- Technological support and recommendations on tools for specific business needs
- Advice on additional digital transformation support including loyalty programs, point-of-sale systems, ecommerce and back-end business operations support.
