Digital Boost fall registration begins
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City continues free training
and mentorship program to support small businesses
Back by popular demand, the next cohort of the Digital Boost
Vaughan Small Business Resiliency Program is set to begin. The program provides
free training and mentorship to help local businesses adapt to the changing
environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration begins today.
During the
first round of programming in June and July, Digital Boost taught more than 200
small-business owners how to diversify revenue streams, use digital marketing
tools, manage inventory online and run e-commerce. The program was launched as
a direct response to the need for small businesses to adopt digital technology.
Digital Boost
programming covers topics such as: digital marketing strategies; launching or
improving an e-commerce store; developing new product lines or services;
developing new revenue models, such as curbside pickup or drop-shipping; and
developing financial resiliency. Vaughan businesses interested in participating
are asked to register at vaughanbusiness.ca/DigitalBoost by Monday, Sept. 21 to
secure their spot. Upon registration, a representative from the Economic and
Cultural Development department will contact the participant to help cater the
training to specific business needs.
The City has partnered
with the Province of Ontario, York Region, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, General
Assembly and The Hub to provide expert training and instruction to help program
participants reach their business goals as well as mentorship opportunities to
bring their new digital marketing strategies to life.
Training will begin in
September with workshops running until the end of November, and mentorship to
follow. All training components will be delivered virtually to abide by
physical distancing rules. Participants registered in the Digital Boost Vaughan
Small Business Resiliency Program will have the opportunity to apply for a $5,000
provincial grant to implement their new business strategies, which will be
awarded to companies with a physical storefront or location in Vaughan and have
less than 10 full-time employees, among other criteria.
The continued support
of programs
like Digital Boost that offer mentoring and training to the business community aligns
with the City’s Business Resilience
Plan.
The Business Resilience
Plan, which was presented to the City’s Ready, Resilient and Resourceful
Committee on June 23, 2020, focuses on securing
Vaughan’s place as the Region’s largest employment centre, enhancing Vaughan’s
key strategic economic drivers like the city’s downtown commercial zone,
manufacturing and logistics, the health and tourism industries, and leveraging
public spaces by supporting community events and the arts community.
The City of Vaughan
remains committed to providing relief to entrepreneurs and small-business
owners and maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy.
Open for Business
The
voluntary listing includes both essential services and businesses that are open
or providing modified operations by phone, online, takeout or delivery in
compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. Vaughan businesses
interested in being included in the list must apply and can do so through this online form.
#ShopVaughanLocal
In
April, the City launched the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign, encouraging residents
to support the local economy by shopping at local businesses and restaurants –
and getting the kids ready to return to school is another opportunity to help.
There are many ways to make a difference:
- Shop in-store or order online from local businesses
- Buy gift cards from local businesses
- Dine at or order take-out or delivery from a local restaurant
- Share your local love on social media using #ShopVaughanLocal
Vaughan
Business Action Plan
On March
17, the City launched the Vaughan Business Action
Plan –
which includes a series of measures to support businesses, consumers and all
citizens. The City’s Economic and Cultural Development department is available
to support local businesses and entrepreneurs online or by phone to help access
resources from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Learn
more at vaughanbusiness.ca.
Business
licence renewals
The 90-day grace period
for local businesses to renew their Vaughan business licence will end on
Monday, Aug. 31 and licences will need to be renewed. Reminder notices will be
sent to owners and licensees.
New businesses are
required to apply and obtain a business licence to operate. As Vaughan City
Hall remains closed to the public to help stop the spread of COVID-19,
applications may be submitted by email to bylaw@vaughan.ca, along with scanned
copies of required documentation. Payments can be made by cheque and mailed to
Vaughan City Hall at 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON, L6A 1T1.
To receive the City’s
latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter
at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Those who feel unwell,
and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region
Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario
at 1-866-797-0000.
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