Main Street Unionville, First Markham Place and First Markham Centre are among 65 main street communities selected to take part in the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator.
The program is focused on revitalizing main streets with a healthy retail mix, while providing residents, new entrepreneurs and existing businesses with economic opportunities in their main street community.
Business owners within the designated communities will have access to a dedicated Main Street Ambassador, customized market research and data analysis. More than 650 business are eligible to receive $115,000 in non-repayable contributions through the two-year program.
“My Main Street programming reinforces the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting our communities, local businesses and entrepreneurs,” says Mary Ng, minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development and MP for Markham-Thornhill.
“Markham’s small business community is well known for representing a diverse collection of people and cultures, and I am thrilled that they will benefit from focused support.”
The $23.5-million program is a partnership between the Economic Development Council of Ontario and the Canadian Urban Institute and is funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Main street businesses play an important role in helping reflect and serve the needs of their community. The Government of Canada understands how difficult the past two years have been and continues to support initiatives like My Main Street to ensure small businesses come back strong,” says Markham-Unionville MP Paul Chiang.
“Small and independent businesses are the backbone of our main street communities,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti says. “The diversity of products and services they bring to our communities are what make each main street unique.”
Businesses in main streets outside of these 65 communities aren’t eligible to receive the full level of wrap-around supports, referrals and funding but can access any of the free on-demand courses, online training and resources.
Photo of Main Street Unionville courtesy of the City of Markham.
