MY MAIN STREET  

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The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator is a data-driven community economic development program focused on revitalizing main streets with a healthy retail mix while generating local economic opportunities.

The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator is currently supporting the revitalization of 65 main streets across southern Ontario. Communities participating in the Local Business Accelerator program receive deep data insights and a dedicated My Main Street Ambassador who supports their main street by providing insight, advice, and support to their local businesses. 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.

 

The areas serviced in the Waterloo Region by My Main Street Ambassadors are:

Kitchener - Downtown Kitchener (City Centre & Innovation Districts)

Kitchener - Market District & King Street East

Kitchener - Victoria Street North

Kitchener - Belmont Village

Waterloo - Uptown Waterloo

Waterloo - University District

 

Programs and Resources for Businesses

Programs

Making Connections in the Community

Source of Employees

Source of Grants and Funding

General Funding/Loans

Start up and Advisory Services

Accelerator Centres/Hubs for Startups

Training and Support

Sector Specific Support - Tourism (restaurants, attractions, retail)

Associations

 

Programs

• Community Support, Multiculturlaism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program
• Black Entrepreneurship Program - LiftOff 
• Women Entrepreneurship Program - WLU
• Rhyze Women Entrepreneurship Program – Innovation Guelph  
• Starter Company Plus Program - WRSBC

 

Making Connections in the Community

• YMCA of the Three Rivers
• WR Connectors - Connecting new Canadians with others in the community for mentorship

 

Source of Employees

• YMCA Cambridge KW Employment Services for Job Seekers
• YMCA Cambridge KW Employment Services for Employers - Employment Services is dedicated to connect employers that are willing to provide on-the-job training, through employment, placements, job trials, job shadows or mentorship, with eager individuals ready to become integral and productive members of a team.
• Employer workshops available through Immigration Partnership

 

Source of Grants and Funding

• Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) - If your business requires more advanced technologies, you can get a grant to develop a digital adoption plan.
• City of Waterloo Community Improvement Plan (CIP) 
• Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (R.A.I.S.E.)
• Employer Grant Programs
  • Canada Job Grant (CJG)
  • Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)
  • Youth Employment Program (IRAP)
  • Hire an Apprentice

  • Hiring and training incentives for employers

  • Employing Young Talent Incentive (EYTI)

 

General Funding/Loans

• Business Development Bank of Canada - Financing, advisory services and venture capital as well as articles and resources.

  • BDC Small Business Loans 

• Futurepreneur Canada - If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, aged 18 to 39, you may be eligible for up to $60,000 in financing to launch or grow your business. You will also get access to an expert business mentor, tools and resources to succeed.
  • Futurepreneur (under 40)
  • Black Entrepreneur Startup Program
  • Indigenous Program
• MITACS - Mitacs can help you maximize your investment, making your budget go further, and helping you achieve the best possible ROI. Provides matching funds to support hiring a college or university student to work on your project. Apply Early.
• Federal Funding Programs
• Ontario Government
• Canada Small Business Financing Program
• Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

 

Start up and Advisory Services

• Waterloo Region Small business Centre - Business advising, webinars and online resources
• BDC - Offering business advisory services on Management, Business Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Financial Management, Operational Efficiencies, HR etc.
• TD Sustainable Future Program - Programs like this one offer specialized resources, educational events, industry specific peer to peer mentorship, and financing opportunities to businesses with a business idea that meets the sustainability targets.
• Startup Women - Startup Women helps women entrepreneurs through mentorship, events, and resources. Because when you support women, you support a nation
• SBC Ontario - 30 e-Learning modules to help with on-demand learning in areas related to Business Basics, Startup, and Growth

 

Accelerator Centres/Hubs for Startups

• Accelerator Centre - Mentorship and coaching as well as space to help businesses take their ideas to reality
• Communitech
• Ontario Disability Support Program - Providing support to start a business for persons with disabilities

 

Training and Support

• Digital Service Squad through Small Business Centre
• Digital Main Street - Offering training and webinars in areas such as building your online store, social media, etc.
• DMS Shop Here
• WRSBC Workshops & Events
• SBC Ontario e-Learning

 

Sector Specific Support - Tourism (restaurants, attractions, retail)

• Explore Waterloo Region - Provides marketing and partnership support for businesses
• Restaurants Canada

 

Associations

• Greater KW Chamber of Commerce - KW Chamber of Commerce is a member based organization that also offers free resources and paid events. 
• KW Multicultural Centre
• Uptown Waterloo BIA (for businesses located within the BIA boundaries) - Keeping businesses informed, providing advocacy and programs to support businesses. Associate memberships also available for businesses outside of the BIA
• Downtown Kitchener BIA
• Belmont Village BIA
• Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
• Explore Waterloo

 

If you are interested in learning more or contacting your local My Main Street Ambassador, please fill out the inquiry form below for whichever city you are in.

 

Waterloo Inquiry Form

 

Kitchener Inquiry Form