Oakville extends Digital Service Squad to help more small businesses adopt online technologies

The Town of Oakville, together with the Downtown Oakville BIA, Kerr Village BIA, Bronte Village BIA and Oakville Chamber of Commerce, received a $75,000 grant from Digital Main Street to expand the Digital Service Squad. The local squad has been able to assist over 400 businesses through one-on-one consultations and webinars since launching in 2019. This new funding will allow the town to continue the program, providing support for more small businesses to adopt online technologies and digitally transform their sales, marketing and back-office operations.

Renewed government funding through the Ontario Grants Program (OPG) provides 3,000 Digital Transformation Grants to qualified brick-and-mortar small businesses, as well as Digital Service Squad (DSS) grants for organizations to provide hands-on assistance to local small businesses. The OGP is administrated by the Ontario BIA Association, in partnership with the Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA).

The squad consists of trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses for free, to help them complete an online assessment and introduce them to online training modules to build their knowledge and skills. These experts can also assist businesses with developing their Digital Transformation Plan and applying for a one-time $2,500 grant to implement it. This one-on-one DSS assistance also includes support for basic website set-up, Google My Business profiles, 360º photos, social media presence, and much more. The DSS can also provide information on the ShopHERE program, if applicable, to assist with digital storefront set-up and e-commerce. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, DSS experts can provide support through phone and video tools such as Microsoft Teams.

“Many of our small businesses were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we saw the importance of the digital economy to their survival. This new funding will help more of our local businesses grow and thrive as we work towards recovery, and I encourage more businesses to participate in the Digital Main Street Program.”

-    Mayor Rob Burton

“Ontario small businesses are the heart of our neighbourhoods and the economic foundation of our communities. Our government is committed to being there for them as they reopen. This additional support will give these businesses the digital boost they need to raise their profile and rebuild better than ever.”

-    Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction for Ontario

“In the past 18 months, as small businesses across the province fought to stay open and keep customers engaged online, Digital Service Squads were there to help. Squads jumped online themselves during lockdowns to help virtually, and businesses have consistently told us how important the DSS were to their success through the pandemic. We are thrilled to support this DSS in Oakville and help them provide assistance to even more small businesses than ever.”

-    Kay Matthews, Executive Director, Ontario BIA Association

About the Town of Oakville

A vibrant community within the Greater Toronto Area, Oakville is a beautiful lakeside town with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. This thriving municipality of about 211,000 residents provides all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre, while also maintaining its small-town ambiance. Oakville is known for its picturesque harbours, bustling shopping districts, active arts community and some of the best dining options in the region. Oakville benefits from a unique blend of natural spaces, growing business and employment opportunities, modern housing and transportation options, and an increasingly diverse population.

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.