Digital Main Street is helping Port Colborne’s small businesses accelerate their digital transformation.

Digital Main Street (DMS), which was launched in Toronto two-years earlier, has been in operation in many Ontario cities and towns since 2018.

It is built around an internet learning platform that offers structured training modules for brick-and mortar small businesses to improve their digital skills. The Digital Service Squad (DSS) is a group of street-level tech specialists that provide advice and support in the areas of strategy planning and assistance.

The Digital Transformation Grant (DTG), which provides up to $2,500 to small businesses that meet certain criteria, helps to cover the costs of digital tools adoption.

“Near the end of the first quarter this year, the city received a $50,000 Digital Service Squad Grant to fund a part-time team member over two years,” said Gary Long, manager of strategic initiatives. “Our squad’s commitment to customer service excellence has once again paid off as 21 small businesses are the recipients of this latest round of grant funding.”

“That’s a total of $52,500 in support from the DTG program,” said Mayor Bill Steele. “Keeping up with a digital world that changes so quickly is difficult for just about anyone, let alone a small business owner whose time is at a premium.”

“I greatly appreciate the province’s continued investment in this program, and I want to congratulate all the recipients,” said Steele.

The $2,500 DTG will be awarded to the following:

•Aborigen Handcrafts

•Bakery Collective

•Bambi’s Bistro

•Breakwall Brewing Company

•Canalside Restaurant

•Citrus Seventeen

•Dance Expressions Inc.

•G&M Fitness & Health Club

•Genius Fitness & MMA

•Grant’s Gifts & The Picket Fence

•Lucky Thai Restaurant

•Meraki Beauty Academy

•Mom Dukes Authentic Jamaican Cuisine

•Murdoch’s Tire & Automotive

•Oak Tree Yoga & Wellness

•Playful Solutions

•Port Side Petals & Gifts

•The Smokin’ Buddha

•The Pie Guys Bakery & Café

•Think Ink, Design & Print Ltd.

The DTG portal for applications closed Oct. 31, 2022. However, it is expected to reopen in January 2023.

Small businesses that have never submitted an application or have received the DTG before June 30, 2021, are encouraged to contact the city’s Digital Service Squad at [email protected].

On February 6, 2023, the squad will host a workshop for free at the L. R. Wilson Heritage Research Archives from 1 to 4.

Focused on the theme of “Digital Tools, Software, and Apps for Managing your Small Business,” registration for this in-person workshop is now open on Eventbrite.

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