Haldimand County announces 20 recipients supported through Government of Canada-funded My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program

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To The Haldimand Press                                                       

HALDIMAND—Main streets play a vital role in growing the economy and supporting local communities. Haldimand County, in partnership with Grand Erie Business Centre and with funding received through the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program, would like to acknowledge 20 local small business owners who have received a non-repayable contribution of $10,000.

“Emerging from the pandemic, many businesses were seeking ways to encourage people to come back and shop in our downtowns. These funds assisted the start up of three new businesses and helped the remaining businesses make purchases of equipment and tools to diversify and attract new customers to our downtowns,” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism for Haldimand County.

The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program is a data-driven community economic development initiative focused on revitalizing main streets with a healthy retail mix, while providing new and existing businesses on main streets with new economic opportunities.

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With the funding received from My Main Street, participating Haldimand County businesses have been able to expand their businesses through the purchase of new products and equipment, diversify their service offerings and product lines, make leasehold improvements, and in some cases, start new businesses.

Lacie Williamson, Owner of LVW Creative Barracks, which received funding to start a stained glass art program, said, “The program has changed the scale of how we think about our business. We have always been focused on local and now we are building a creative destination – and with the My Main Street non-repayable contribution we have been able to expand our ability to offer those programs.”

Haldimand County congratulates these businesses that demonstrated ideas that will contribute to the downtown retail environment and increase foot traffic to their own business, as well as neighbouring main street businesses.  

The My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program is delivered by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario with an overall Government of Canada investment of $23.25 million, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to support the recovery and strength of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario.

“Haldimand County would like to thank the Government of Canada, FedDev Ontario, and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario for their support of local business,” said Romanuk.

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, said, “Main streets play a vital role in growing local communities and economies for everyone. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in My Main Street and the small businesses the program serves, resulting in local economic growth and more vibrant neighbourhoods for Canadians and their families to call home.”

  Doug Lindeblom, Managing Director, My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator, concluded, “The Economic Developers Council of Ontario is delighted to be delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to support local business and main streets across southern Ontario. Thanks to the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, local businesses will have access to resources to help create economic opportunities for these main street communities, which is an essential component to a successful local economy.”

My Main Street Recipients – Jarvis

Luxe and Company – Leasehold improvements to increase hospitality for customers.

Concession Road Brewery – Purchase of new equipment to create a new line of products.

Christine’s Bakery – Purchase of a freezer and cooler to increase capacity of ready-to-eat meals.

Unique Designs – Purchase of storage and inventory to create a new bouquet subscription service.

Hagersville

Main 88 – Purchase of new kitchen equipment to increase production.

Active Relief Centre – Purchase of a new retail line.

Baejj – Purchase of a new oven and freezer to increase productivity.

Plank Road – Purchase of a point-of-sale system (POS) and kitchen equipment to increase efficiency.

Dunnville

Debb’s Cuisine – Purchase of kitchen equipment to increase productivity.

Grand River Outdoors – Purchase of ice fishing equipment to offer a new experience to customers.

The Music Room – Purchase of equipment to create new recording studio.

Sunny Side Up – Purchase of kitchen equipment to improve productivity.

LVW Creative Barracks – Purchase of stained-glass equipment to offer new art classes.

Cayuga

Carolinian Café – Purchase of a new espresso machine to increase productivity.

Caruso’s – Purchase of equipment to open a new ice cream parlour attached to the main restaurant.

Caledonia

Dixon Cycle – Purchase of bikes to offer rentals in the community.

Sunwaves Spa – Purchase of new equipment to offer clients new spa services.

Argyle Street Grill – Purchase of heaters to create a heated patio.

High Fi Ink and Glass – Purchase of equipment to begin new business of tattoo parlour.

Selkirk

Selkirk Social – Purchase of an industrial espresso machine for new business.