How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant?

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant is funded by Digital Main Street

What are Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a local BIA located in Ontario. Alternatively, the applicant can be a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, or Small Business Enterprise Centre located in Ontario. Collaborative partnerships involving a Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, and/or Small Enterprise Centre may apply.

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

The Digital Service Squad Grant helps Ontario BIAs, municipalities, and related partners adopt technology through training, advisory support, and funding.

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant at a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Retail trade

Grant Providers

Digital Main Street

Program status

Open

Overview of the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

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.

Eligible projects & activities

The Digital Service Squad Grant Program aims to support local business improvement areas and municipal organizations in Ontario through technological assistance. The eligible projects focus on equipping digital service squads with necessary tools and supporting their operations to enable small businesses' digital transformation.

Purchase of equipment necessary for squad operations, including Chromebooks and 360-degree camera kits.
Development and distribution of printed marketing materials to promote local digital adoption services.
Coverage of travel costs for squad operations in multiple cities, based on provincial mileage rates.
Reimbursement for cellular costs incurred by digital squad members while engaging with small businesses.
Payment of salaries or contract fees for squad members, preferably local students.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 1,500

Equipping squad members with PPE for safe interaction

$ 3,500

Training program for squad members using virtual meeting platforms

$ 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

Eligibility criteria of the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant program

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.

How to apply to the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant program

Registration for the program

Create an account on the Digital Main Street portal to express your interest.

Preparation of documents

Gather the necessary documents, including proof of eligibility and a budget for the use of funds (equipment, marketing materials, etc.).

Submission of the application

Log in to the Digital Main Street portal.
Fill out the online application form, ensuring that all required information is included.
Submit the application through the portal before the announced deadline.

Confirmation and follow-up

Receive a confirmation email indicating that the application has been successfully submitted.
Keep the confirmation number for future reference.

Additional information

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