Grow Your Business Online grant applications open
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada is delivering the Grow Your Business Online grant to small businesses across the country. Locally, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington and Gananoque will receive $3.78M, over the next three years through the Grow Your Business Online program, facilitated by Kingston Economic Development Corporation (Kingston EcDev), to help small businesses digitize and take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.
“The past two years of the pandemic have demonstrated how important the online world is in staying connected as businesses, employers, and employees. That is why the Government of Canada launched the Canada Digital Adoption Program, a $4B investment to help as many as 160,000 small and medium-sized enterprises grow their business online and boost their existing business technologies,” said Member of Parliament for Kingston and The Islands Mark Gerretsen. “I look forward to seeing how the Kingston Economic Development Corporation leverages this funding to help businesses in Kingston build a strong online presence that allows them to grow and connect to markets around the world, strengthening our city’s economy as a whole.”
According to a release from Kingston EcDev, eligible businesses will receive micro-grants of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies as well as support and advice from a network of E-Commerce Advisors. The grant can be used to cover costs associated with a range of activities, including website development, search engine optimization, subscription fees for e-commerce platforms and social media advertising.
“I’m thrilled to hear that funding from the Canada Digital Adoption Program will be distributed in the Kingston community. This is a fantastic opportunity for some of our local small businesses to expand their current platforms and reach new customers, both locally and outside of the region,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “I look forward to seeing the benefits this program will offer some of our businesses as they look ahead to a post-pandemic world.”
Kingston Economic Development has been helping local businesses navigate the impact of COVID-19 over the past two and half years, and has been able to secure over $5.5M to invest directly into businesses through the Tourism Business Support Program, Kingston Pandemic Recovery Program and now, through the Canadian Digital Adoption Program, according to the release.
“We are honoured that Kingston Economic Development was selected to facilitate this program and the trust that the government has in us to administer this program,” said Donna Gillespie, CEO, Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “Our small businesses have shown incredible resilience over the last two years as they faced unprecedented times from the impacts of COVID-19. Today, businesses more than ever need a strong online presence to meet consumer’s needs and stay competitive.”
According to the release, the program will be delivered with support from KEYS Job Centre and for access to E-Commerce Advisors to support the program. Kingston EcDev said that the goal is to hire 75 E-Commerce Advisors through the program to support local businesses.
“Youth employment has been a very critical component of what KEYS does. This opportunity fits with who we are as an organization, and we appreciate this opportunity to be involved in this initiative,” said Michael Harris, Executive Director at KEYS Job Centre.
Businesses interested in applying are encouraged to visit investkingston.ca/CDAP to learn more about the program and apply online.