Digital Boost fall registration begins

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Digital Boost fall registration begins

8/28/2020 1:00 PM

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 Open for Business online directory lists local businesses that are open during the pandemic.

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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