Are you an independent business owner in Cayuga, Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville, Jarvis, or Selkirk, or looking to relocate or start a business in one of these areas?
My Main Street
Haldimand County’s Economic Development & Tourism division, in partnership with Grand Erie Business Centre, is delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to support new and existing small businesses in our downtowns.
The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program provides eligible small businesses and entrepreneurs in Haldimand communities with market research and insights, on-demand training, and non-repayable funding contributions. Each community has a dedicated My Main Street Ambassador who supports their main street by providing insight and support to help grow and establish new and existing local businesses.
In addition, businesses within each of the participating communities have access to a range of supports.
MARKET RESEARCH
Local businesses have access to customized market research reports to assist them in understanding their customers and growing their business.
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
My Main Street ambassadors can provide information on business funding and support programs, including the My Main Street non-repayable funding contribution.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Based on market data collected from each community, new business opportunities will be identified for local entrepreneurs to explore and initiate.
BUSINESS TRAINING
Local businesses can access a range of on-demand and live virtual training sessions to support their operations.
Business Eligibility Requirements:
Ask your My Main Street Ambassador if you are eligible.
My Main Street Ambassadors:
Covering main street areas in Caledonia, Cayuga & Jarvis.
Covering main street areas in Dunnville, Hagersville & Selkirk.
Creating a Buzz
September 13, 2022 – 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
A little public relations savvy can get you valuable media coverage—coverage that has more impact than any ad you can buy. But do you know what the best part about it is? It’s completely free.
What You’ll Learn
- The power of no cost publicity and how to get it.
- What stories the media want to cover.
- How to target the right media.
- How to write a media release.
- Media interview tips.
- How to use free publicity to grow your small business.
- How getting involved in your business can improve your relationship with existing and potential customers
Make getting free publicity for your business part of your marketing plan.
Mastermind Session: Public Relations
September 27, 2022 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
In this interactive session, you will meet with subject matter experts to learn their best practices and the key points they believe business owners should focus on, including:
- How to get free publicity
- Stories that media are looking for
- Success stories
Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, share resources and knowledge and to learn from other business owners.
How to Grow a Brick-and-Mortar Store on Social Media
October 11, 2022 – 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Learn the 8 different and effective social media marketing strategies that work for brick-and-mortar businesses. Presented By Brooke Write is a certified Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Mentor, and Author with a mission to help entrepreneurs and business owners get unstuck so they can increase their performance, productivity, and profits.
Mastermind Session: eCommerce Marketing
October 25, 2022 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
In this interactive session, you will meet with subject matter experts to learn their best practices and the key points they believe business owners should focus on, including:
- What works in eCommerce marketing
- Low-cost marketing ideas
- Online advertising strategies
Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, share resources and knowledge and to learn from other business owners.
Check back frequently for more updates on My Main Street activities.
April
Community Ambassadors hired, trained, collecting data on downtown vacancies, and taking inventory of existing businesses to identify gaps within the retail community, and opportunities for the community.
May / June
Community Ambassadors will be engaging local businesses by phone and through business visits to provide direction on proactive steps businesses can take, collecting data from business owners, providing assistance, and directing businesses to resources.
Haldimand County Neighbourhood Case Study
Watch the Main Street Ambassadors as they showcase new community market research which will help you understand how Haldimand County consumers shop, and highlight business opportunities.
