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North Wellington downtown businesses getting digital help through grant

Mapleton, Wellington North and Minto receive a nearly $27,000 grant to hire a specialist to assist small businesses increase online presence and capabilities
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Downtown Harriston. Keegan Kozolanka/GuelphToday file photo

NORTH WELLINGTON – The Northern Wellington partnership between Mapleton, Wellington North and Minto is getting a digital boost for their downtown businesses through a FedDev Ontario grant. 

The partners announced that they got a nearly $27,000 grant from Digital Main Street (DMS) to fund a digital service squad which helps downtown small businesses improve their online capabilities and presence.

The digital service squad are specialists who meet with small business owners, at no cost, to assist with online development such as a Google My Business profile, enhanced social media presence and providing support for basic website and e-commerce set-up.

Minto and Wellington North have received this grant before but this is the first time Mapleton will be a part of this. 

Aly Cripps, Mapleton’s economic development coordinator, said in a press release that this is a great opportunity to help their downtown businesses.

“A vibrant downtown is key to a strong community and because of this grant we will be able to provide our businesses with the opportunity to take advantage of trained specialists who can teach them how to use new technologies and provide tools and training in order to stay competitive in today’s digital world,” Cripps said. 

Cripps explained in a phone call that the grant is used to hire the specialist, in this case Harriston resident and business marketing graduate Ashley Noble, and any tools she may need to assist in her work.

However, the digital service squad specialist will be able to assist qualified small businesses in applying for a $2,500 digital transformation grant if they wish to take their online presence further.

In a joint statement, the mayors of Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton said they are thrilled to see the federal government investing in their businesses so they can re-emerge from COVID-19 as more resilient than ever.

“Our downtown businesses attract visitors, create jobs, support families and make life better for everyone who calls northern Wellington County home,” said Andy Lennox, George Bridge and Gregg Davidson, mayors of Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton respectively.