Markham, Unionville get $20K grant to boost online capabilities for businesses

Digital Main Street Service Squad to spruce up their online prowess

Yorkregion.com
August 20, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

The Business Improvement Area of Markham and Unionville announced Friday, Aug. 16, that they have received a grant from Digital Main Street (DMS), an Ontario government program, to fund a Digital Service Squad to spruce up the online capabilities of their main street small businesses.

The grant totals to $20,000 with Markham and Unionville receiving $10,000 each.

The Squad is to help small businesses in their downtown areas enhance their use of digital tools and techniques to better evolve and grow.

The Squad will also consist of trained specialists who will visit and assist BIA-area downtown businesses at no cost to help them set up Google My Business, conduct a digital-readiness assessment and apply for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

Starting Aug. 20, the Squad will start visiting businesses.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses in Markham and Unionville,” said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham-Unionville.

“Setting up an online business can be done at little cost and can attract a variety of new business opportunities.”

Kay Matthews, executive director of the Ontario BIA Association, said both BIAs in Markham and Unionville “clearly understand the importance of digital technology and the power of Digital Main Street to help keep their downtown cores vibrant and strong.”

“Our small main street businesses are a critical contributor to Ontario’s economic, social and cultural health, and it’s vital that we work together to ensure their success.

"Digital Main Street will help the small businesses of downtown Markham and Unionville compete in an increasingly digital world.”