Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant

The Digital Service Squad Grant provides a structured funding approach to support the hiring and equipping of Digital Service Squad members across Ontario. The financing modalities ensure that the funds are utilized effectively for their intended purpose while maintaining accountability.

• Funding includes costs for specific equipment necessary for squad members, capped at $1,200 per member.
• Coverage is provided for marketing expenses linked to local promotion, including printing and distribution of materials.
• Travel expenses are reimbursed based on provincial mileage rates, applicable only in certain scenarios.
• Monthly cell phone costs for squad members are covered up to $50.
• PPE, if required, is eligible for funding.
• Fees for platforms like Zoom are included to facilitate remote operations.
• Salaries, wages, or contract fees for squad members are supported, with a preference for student hires.
• Purchase of unnecessary or excessive equipment, personal salaries, debt repayments, and software are ineligible costs.

To be eligible for the Digital Service Squad Grant, applicants must meet one of the following criteria.

• Be a local Business Improvement Area (BIA) located in Ontario.
• Be a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Center located in Ontario.
• Apply on behalf of a collaborative partnership that includes a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, and/or Small Business Enterprise Centre, in an area where this partnership is applicable.

Who is eligible?

- Local BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) located in Ontario- Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Centers in Ontario- Organizations that apply on behalf of a collaborative partnership including a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, or Small Enterprise Centre

Who is not eligible

The Digital Service Squad Grant is specifically targeted towards certain organizations and excludes small businesses from applying. The restrictions ensure that the grant benefits strategic partners who can facilitate technological adoption.

• All small businesses, regardless of industry or status.
• Organizations or entities outside Ontario.
• Entities not part of a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Center.

Eligible expenses

The Digital Service Squad Grant supports activities aimed at enhancing the technological capabilities of organizations in Ontario. The eligible projects focus on equipping Digital Service Squad members and promoting digital services to local communities.

• Purchase of equipment such as laptops or Chromebooks and 360-degree camera kits for squad members.
• Printing and distributing marketing materials like postcards and flyers to promote digital services locally.
• Covering travel costs based on the provincial mileage rate for squad members serving multiple cities or outlier areas.
• Providing cell phone allowances and PPE if necessary for squad members.
• Payment of salary, wages, or contract fees to squad members, with a preference for graduate or undergraduate students.
• Payment of fees for digital communication platforms like Zoom or equivalent services.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to regions within Ontario where organizations can apply under certain criteria. It mainly supports collaborations that include municipalities or similar entities in the province.

• Local BIAs located in Ontario.
• Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Centers in Ontario.
• Collaborative partnerships in specific areas involving eligible organizations in Ontario.

The Digital Service Squad (DSS) program portal is currently closed since the grant funds are exhausted. Applicants need to meet specific eligibility criteria and the grant covers only certain types of costs.

• Grant opportunity is not available to small businesses.
• Eligible applicants include a local BIA, or a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Center in Ontario.
• Eligible costs include equipment (limited to $1,200 per squad member), print marketing materials, travel costs, cell phone costs, PPE, Zoom charges, and squad member salary/wages.
• Ineligible costs include personal salaries, repayment of other loans, past debts, software, and repair of existing equipment.
• Application portal is closed as grant funds are exhausted.