Kingston, Ontario – January 18, 2022 – Kingston Economic Development is pleased to announce that Williamsville/Inner Harbour and downtown Kingston will be participating in the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to help revitalize our main streets.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a $23.25-million investment to the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to establish My Main Street — a two-year program to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario through two program streams.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the challenges that main street businesses are facing as a result of the pandemic, and we are taking action to help mitigate the strain,” says the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Programs like My Main Street offer critical funding and services for local businesses as they find ways to adapt and create new and inclusive economic opportunities that will help them rebuild and restore vibrancy to their main streets.”
EDCO is delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program stream, which supports the revitalization of 65 main street communities, and provides non-repayable contributions for more than 650 local businesses across southern Ontario. The program focuses on creating and maintaining vibrant and inclusive local main streets while providing residents, new entrepreneurs, and existing businesses with economic opportunities in our main street communities.
Williamsville/Inner Harbour and Downtown Kingston main street community in Kingston will be supported with a dedicated Main Street Ambassador, customized market research, data analysis and non-repayable funding contributions for new and existing small businesses.
“I’m pleased to see that Kingston was selected to participate in the Main Street Local Business Accelerator program. Having a Main Street Ambassador provide customized support for small businesses will help our economic recovery efforts and is truly needed as we into another turbulent period for businesses,” says His Worship, Bryan Paterson, Mayor of Kingston.
“I think it’s great that Kingston has been chosen as one of the communities to participate in the My Main Street program. Both the downtown and Inner Harbour areas of the city have some unique challenges that have been compounded by the effects of the pandemic. Targeted outreach to businesses in these two locations will go a long way in helping them rebound faster than they could have without the support of this program,” says Councillor Rob Hutchison of King’s Town District.
“I’m very pleased that Williamsville has been chosen to be part of the My Main Street program. There has been a tremendous amount of development activity in this area of the city over the past few years, and a number of new commercial and residential units have been created. The research and one-on-one discussions that are part of this program will provide businesses with a plan on how best to move forward over the next few years. My Main Street could not have come at a better time,” says Councillor Jim Neill of Williamsville District.
“I am very happy to see the Kingston Economic Development Corporation leading the My Main Street program for Kingston. It will have a significant, positive impact allowing us to further support local businesses access resources and funding. We look forward to working more closely with the small businesses in the three neighbourhoods that are participating, and we expect the benefits to have a very broad reach. My Main Street is a great opportunity to help these neighbourhoods remain vibrant and grow,” says Donna Gillespie, CEO of Kingston Economic Development Corporation.
Media Contact:
Nour Mazloum
Communications & Events Officer
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
mazloum@kingstoncanada.com
