Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant
ON, Canada
The Digital Service Squad Grant helps Ontario BIAs, municipalities, and related partners adopt technology through training, advisory support, and funding.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Retail trade
grant_single|grantors
- Digital Main Street
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Digital Service Squad Grant Program by Digital Main Street aims to support brick-and-mortar small businesses in Ontario with the adoption of technology through training, advisory support, and funding for local Digital Service Squad members. Eligible activities include purchasing limited equipment, print marketing materials, staff salaries, and travel costs. Small businesses, however, are not eligible to apply directly for this grant.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to organizations located within Ontario. The eligible locations are defined to support local municipalities and business groups in the region.
- A local BIA located in Ontario.
- A Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade or Small Business Enterprise Center located in Ontario.
- Areas represented by a collaborative partnership involving a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade and/or Small Enterprise Centre in Ontario.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$3,500
Training program for squad members using virtual meeting platforms
$1,500
Equipping squad members with PPE for safe interaction
$5,500
Introducing 360-degree cameras for small business marketing
$4,500
Upgrading digital infrastructure with Chromebooks and mobile hotspots
$2,500
Enhancing mobile connectivity with hotspots and cell phones
$3,000
Digital marketing material creation for small businesses
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- 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
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the Digital Service Squad Grant include costs associated with equipment, staffing, and necessary operational expenses.
- Equipment (up to $1,200 per squad member) such as a Chromebook or equivalent, 360-degree camera kit (including Ricoh Theta V 360 Degree Camera or equivalent, Anker Battery Pack or equivalent, Tripod or equivalent), and Mobile Hot Spot or equivalent (up to $200, excluding monthly service costs).
- Marketing expenses for printing and distributing postcards or flyers to promote the service locally.
- Travel costs based on provincial mileage rates for outlier areas and applicants covering multiple cities.
- Cell phone costs for squad members up to $50 per month.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), if necessary.
- Zoom charges or equivalent platform fees.
- Salary, wages, or contract fees for squad members, preferably graduate or undergraduate students.
grant_single_labels|register
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
Apply to this program
Support for Digital Transformation in Local Communities
The Digital Service Squad Grant is designed to empower local organizations in Ontario, such as BIAs and Municipalities, to lead digital transformation initiatives. This grant supplies funding and training to hire squad members who will assist small brick-and-mortar businesses in adopting digital technologies effectively.
In-Depth Insight into the Digital Service Squad Grant Program
The Digital Service Squad Grant, conceptualized under the Digital Main Street program, presents a groundbreaking opportunity for Ontario-based localities to enhance digital adoption among small businesses. This initiative addresses the crucial need for technological integration in traditional business environments by assembling and deploying Digital Service Squads. These squads serve as digital ambassadors, offering small businesses personalized consultations and leveraging technology to boost operations and competitiveness.
The grant program is anchored in a dynamic partnership framework, inviting applications from Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, and Small Business Enterprise Centers across Ontario. This collaborative model is pivotal for tailoring digital solutions to specific community needs, facilitating widespread digital literacy, and bridging technology gaps often faced by smaller enterprises. By focusing on these collective local efforts, the program ensures that digital innovation is accessible and beneficial to the broader economic landscape.
The financial support from the Digital Service Squad Grant covers critical areas of digital enablement. Approved expenses include innovative equipment purchases, essential staff training, and strategic marketing endeavors to increase digital engagement. The grant specifically allocates up to $1,200 per squad member for necessary digital tools such as Chromebooks and 360-degree cameras, ensuring that the squads are well-equipped to conduct immersive digital assessments and provide comprehensive consultations.
A standout feature of the grant is its preferential hiring of undergraduate or graduate students as squad members, fostering a learning ecosystem that benefits both the students and the businesses they serve. This initiative not only helps alleviate the employment challenges faced by recent graduates but also injects fresh perspectives and energy into the digital transformation process.
Moreover, the grant recognizes the diverse nature of Ontario’s communities by incorporating flexible provisions such as reimbursement for essential travel costs when squad members serve multiple city areas. This inclusivity ensures that businesses in more remote or underserved locations receive equal attention and resources to thrive in a digital economy.
While the program offers substantial financial backing, it emphasizes the necessity of strategic implementation. Recipients are encouraged to devise innovative solutions, integrate sustainable practices, and maintain strict accountability in resource management, aligning with broader economic development goals. The comprehensive support structure also includes monthly digital transformation reporting for six months, allowing for consistent monitoring and adaptation to evolving digital landscapes.
In conclusion, the Digital Service Squad Grant embodies a transformative vision, empowering communities to harness digital technologies for economic resilience and growth. Through strategic partnerships and targeted financial support, it is poised to significantly enhance digital literacy and capabilities across Ontario, ensuring that small businesses remain competitive and fully engaged in the digital age.
