New digital service team member for BIA

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by Deron Johnston, Executive Director,
Old Town Kemptville BIA

The Board of Management of the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) is pleased to announce that they have successfully partnered with the Municipality of North Grenville to receive funding from the Digital Main Street program in order to create another Digital Service Squad. This year’s Squad team member who has been assigned to support businesses in the BIA footprint is Julie DeBoer. Julie comes from a print magazine ad sales background, where she also managed their local Facebook and Instagram platforms by providing photo and content creation. Always a supporter of shopping local, she became an even bigger supporter with the onset of COVID, realizing just how many local retail and services were readily available and in need of support, promoting them as often as possible. The small town inhabitant and people-person believes that this project is right up her alley. “I love working with people to help them grow their business, and I enjoy shopping at small local businesses just as much, so it seemed like a match made in heaven for me to become involved with.”

“In these challenging times, it has become even more important for a small business to have a significant online presence. Many of our small businesses have not qualified for government funding programs, which has left them vulnerable to permanently closing their doors. This program will help to level the playing field for our small business community here in Downtown Kemptville. I have no doubt that it could be even more successful this year, now that more businesses are aware of the program and see the value of it”, said Debbie Wilson, Old Town Kemptville BIA Board Chair.

Digital Service Squads are fundamental to Digital Main Street’s design and success, with trained specialists who meet with small businesses, at no cost, to help them improve their online presence. The squads assist with a number of activities, including developing a Google My Business profile, enhancing their social media presence, and providing support for basic website and e-commerce set-up. Squads will also assist qualified small businesses through the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant, which includes an online assessment, online training modules, and the development of a Digital Transformation Plan (DTP).

To learn more about the Digital Main Street program, and to see if you qualify for the Digital Transformation Grant funding, visit their website at www.digitalmainstreet.ca.

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