Digital Main Street Service Squad launched

Chatham-Kent Economic Development has launched a new program to help businesses increase their digital footprint and work towards improved digital transformation across the municipality. Thanks to an $85,000 grant made available from the government of Ontario through Digital Main Street to fund a Digital Service Squad to help main street small businesses improve their online capabilities.

The three Digital Service Squad members, which are part of the Economic Development team, are reaching out to main street small businesses in Chatham-Kent to help enhance their use of digital tools and techniques to better evolve and grow. The team are trained specialists are working with businesses to conduct a providing no-cost digital-readiness assessment, help improve their presence in tools such as Google Business, and apply for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

“Our government is committed to helping small businesses improve their competitiveness, create jobs and attract investment,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “That’s why I’m so pleased that businesses in Chatham-Kent will benefit from the expertise of a Digital Service Squad to help small businesses embrace digital technology. Our investment in the Digital Main Street program will help to ensure that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.”

“The goal here is to enhance the use of digital tools and techniques for growth,” said Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham – Kent – Leamington. “The team specializes in working with businesses to conduct and provide no- cost digital-readiness assessment, help improve their presence with tools such as Google Business, and apply
for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.”

“There is no doubt that in today’s digital economy a strong digital footprint is essential for small businesses,” said Stuart McFadden, Director of Chatham-Kent Economic Development. “Our Digital Service Squad team is helping businesses adopt new digital technologies including e-commerce, social media, and important back- office systems such as payroll and inventory.”

McFadden added, “The Digital Service Squad team has been setup with some excellent technology including 360-degree cameras, tablets, and specialized software. We know that there is a need in our community and that they will be part of our strategy to help address this opportunity.”

A joint program funded by Government of Ontario and delivered by the Ontario BIA Association, Digital Main Street helps improve how small businesses use digital tools and techniques to become more successful. Today’s digital economy is vital to small businesses, and DMS will help them adopt new digital technologies from
e-commerce and social media to back-office systems such as payroll and inventory.

A formal kickoff is planned for November 12, 2019 as part of the TeCK Night: Beyond 2020 event being held at SOAR Innovation at 202 King Street, Chatham starting at 6 pm. The event, which will include comments from Mayor Darrin Canniff, is exploring the future of technology and innovation in 2020 and beyond.

“We are looking forward to introducing the Digital Service Squad to the community that night with opportunities for businesses to meet them and have a full discussion on Wednesday at the Business Development Tradeshow being held at the Bradley Convention Centre,” said Andrew Tompsett with Chatham-Kent Economic Development. “We have already been in discussion with many of our local Chambers and BIA’s and now is the time to start working directly with businesses.”

For more information about Chatham-Kent Economic Development and the Digital Service Squad, visit them online at www.investck.ca.

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