Government funding helps small business adopt digital technologies

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Small business operators across the province will get a boost to adopt digital technologies thanks to a funding announcement made at a small business in Brantford on Wednesday.

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Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri visited Brantford Finders Keepers on King George Road to announce the provincial government’s investment of $7.5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses grow by adopting digital technologies.

“Small businesses play a vital role in Ontario’s economy and are rising to meet the demands of a fast-changing economy,” Tangri said. “We are announcing a $7.5 million investment in the Digitization Competence Centre (DCC), Ontario’s knowledge hub for helping small and medium businesses navigate and thrive in today’s digital age.”

She said the investment will provide $5 million to strengthen the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) program, which helps businesses assess their digital needs and work with consultants to create customized adoption strategies. Funding will also enhance the Technology Demonstration Program to help businesses implement their DMAP strategies and support the commercialization of Ontario-made innovations.

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Brantford Finders Keepers at 196 King George Road is a boutique and do-it-yourself studio selling refreshed furniture, home decor, natural pieces you can paint yourself, and offers hands-on DIY classes.

“Business is hard,” shared store owner Ashley Lepre, who has been in business for eight years. “Having something like this where we can compete with businesses we don’t align with — or have their spending ability — support like this allows us to get to that point. It gives me the opportunity to talk about customer management, tracking their sales better. Sometimes that expense is out of reach, so this allows it to come down to a level that will allow us to hopefully invest in it.

“Having a grant like this gives us the opportunity to reach a broader audience,” she said. “I think this is incredible.”

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Tangri also announced $2.5 million in funding that will expand the DCC’s reach to include more businesses in strategic sectors through the new Retail Modernization Project Grant.

“This is a flexible grant of up to $5,000 with a matched contribution by the small enterprise, to a total value of $10,000,” she said. “This grant will help retail businesses adopt and integrate digital technologies including online payment systems, inventory management software, customer relation management tools, and AI-driven platforms.”

Dr. Claudia Krywiak, president and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation which delivers the DCC program, said small businesses make up more than 98 per cent of enterprises and employ more than 2.3 million workers in Ontario.

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“They are vital to Ontario’s economic health, job creation and global competitiveness,” she said. “The playing field is shifting, and in today’s fast moving digital world small businesses face increasing pressure to modernize. Whether it’s integrating new digital technologies, improving cyber security, or just streamlining operations, technology is no longer optional, it is essential.”

Krywiak noted that since its launch in late 2022, the DCC has supported 294 small businesses that have collectively reduced costs by an average or 23 per cent, increased productivity by 14 per cent, and improved their ability to compete not just in Ontario but globally.

“In total, the 294 DCC-supported companies have seen a combined revenue increase of $380 million,” she said. “This is economic development in action.”

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