BRAMPTON: The City of Brampton has received a $250,000 grant from the Digital Main Street program for a two-year Digital Service Squad program to provide small business owners with the tools and support needed to digitally transform their businesses.
Digital Service Squads are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street, with trained specialists meeting with bricks-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 Digital Service Squad assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360º 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.
Made of two digital technology specialists, the Digital Service Squad will help bricks –and-mortar small businesses across Brampton. The Squad will focus on digital assessments, building an online brand, attracting clients, and marketing and selling products through the use of digital tools and technology.
The Squad program will be delivered though the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre (BEC) under the City’s Economic Development Office.
BEC provides guidance and support to help individuals start and grow their small business, including:
- free business information and guidance
- business consultations
- free business seminars and workshops
- free online business courses
- training and mentorship programs
- young entrepreneur programs
- access to co-working
For more information on the DSS program, please visit www.brampton.ca/digitalmainstreet or email digitalmainstreet@brampton.ca.
Entrepreneur Centre
The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre is a part of Brampton’s Economic Development department. BEC is focused on the growth of the local economy by fostering the careful preparation, launch and long-term sustainability of micro and small businesses across all sectors.
Economic Recovery Strategy
In May 2020, Brampton City Council endorsed an Economic Recovery Strategy as a framework for the City to move forward with restarting the local economy. The Economic Recovery Strategy is organized into four cornerstones: Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, including the expansion of Brampton Entrepreneur Centre offerings to better support entrepreneurs and small businesses; Investment; Arts, Culture and Tourism; and Infrastructure. To learn more, click here.
OBIAA is the network that represents unique and vibrant BIAs across Ontario. The Association supports and advocates on behalf of its members through the building and nurturing of strong relationships and partnerships. OBIAA is a leader in the development and sharing of information, tools, resources and best practices, and is the ONE voice on common issues.
Digital Main Street is a program that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of street-level team members who help main street businesses grow and manage their operations through technology.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, and Lightspeed. The program is delivered Pan Canada in support of small business thanks to the support of all three levels of government. www.digitalmainstreet.ca
Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA, said: “Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial, but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible. OBIAA is delighted to work once again alongside the Digital Main Street team and is thrilled to support Brampton’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 Brampton to adopt innovative ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets, and face the future with optimism and confidence.”
