HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-163 - Digital Main Street Program funding agreement with the Ontario Business Improvement Area AssociationREPORT TO:Finance and Corporate ServicesCommittee
DATE OF MEETING:January 21, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Chris Farrell, Manager, Small Business Centre 519 741 2200 ext 741
PREPARED BY:Chris Farrell, Manager, Small Business Centre 519 741 2200 ext 741
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:December 21, 2018
REPORT NO.:DSD-18-163
SUBJECT:Digital Main Street Program funding agreement with Ontario Business
Improvement Area Association
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a funding
agreement with the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) for the
Small Business Centre; said agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
events, one-on-one coaching, mentoring and access to industry professionals.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre operates with 5.5 full time employees. Over the past year,staff
responded to over 25,000 inquiries, deliveredover 250seminars, and provided one-on-one consultations
to over 2,000 businesses.Resulting in over 600 jobs created.Avolunteer Board of Advisors consisting
of 10 local business professionals and fundersprovide guidance and governance to WRSBC.
REPORT:
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre will implement a new program titled Digital Main Street.
The program will help main street businesses region-wide by providing resources, training and support
for adoption of digital technologies to increase sales and productivity.
The Digital Main Street Program Funding is provided by Ontario Business Improvement Area
Association (OBIAA), through a Province of Ontario Digital Initiative approved under the Main Street
Enhancement Initiative and administered through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs (OMAFRA).
Digital Main Street servicesinclude:
ADigital Assessmentof the business that is serves as their roadmap to identify technology
needs. TheDigital Assessment generates -for businesses to
develop a digital marketing and productivity strategies.
One-on-one support assisting main street businesses with their adoption of technologies.
Technical support from a Digital Service Squad, post-secondary graduates from the Digital
Innovation Skills Graduate Certificate program. The Squad has a broad range of skills to assist
small businesses with onboarding basic technologies.
***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY1-866-969-9994for assistance.
1 - 1
A series of 11 on-line learning modules, businesses completing the modules create a
personalized digital transformation plan and have an opportunity to apply for a $2,500 Provincial
Grant.
An on-line directory for local companies to list and promote their technical and marketing
services.
Over the past year, WRSBC delivered a Digital Main Street Pilot Project providing services to 132 main
street businesses-applicant for the OBIAA funding.
There are over 2,000 BIA members throughout Waterloo Region;the objective of the project is to work
with 350 main street businesses.
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre will deliver the Digital Main Street program on behalf of
ninecontribution is $90,000 for a one-year project January 1, 2019 to
December 31, 2019. The funding expenses include half a full-nefits, digital
service squad fees-for-servicesand direct overhead costs such as equipment, marketing, travel and
meeting expenses.
The Digital Main Street program supports, empowers and educates main street businesses as well as
encourages them to connect with local digital service providers when needed.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:Strong & Resilient Economy
Strategy: #2.2 Support the attraction, retention and development of existing and
newindustries within the regional economy working in collaboration with the
economic development corporation for Waterloo Region.
Strategic Action: # 26Make It Start
# 27 Make It Grow
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. The project is funded by OBIAA
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager DSD
1 - 2