My Main Street is supporting 106 Community Activator placemaking projects and 65 Main Street communities through the Business Accelerator program

Today the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced the successful applicants for My Main Street - a $23.25 million investment by the Government of Canada and delivered in partnership by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to support the revitalization of 200 neighbourhoods across southern Ontario.

My Main Street is being delivered through two program streams:

• The My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program is supporting the revitalization of 65 main street communities, and 650 businesses across southern Ontario. The Local Business Accelerator program provides support through a $57,500 contribution to hire a dedicated Main Street Ambassador, customized marketing research and data analysis, and non-repayable funding contributions for small businesses. Overall, about $3.7 million dollars will be provided directly to municipalities, business improvement areas and other My Main Street host organizations across southern Ontario and an additional $6.5 million will be received by 650 small local businesses. EDCO expects to send close to $1 million to our My Main Street communities as they recruit their Main Street Ambassadors to engage with local businesses and entrepreneurs.

• My Main Street Community Activator is funding 106 placemaking projects in the first round, totaling $5.6 million in 106 communities across southern Ontario (excluding Toronto). All of these projects aim to reanimate neighbourhoods through installations, events and activities to drive foot traffic back to main streets and provide local communities with safe, outdoor experiences to enjoy. In total, the program received 149 applications worth nearly $9 million in the first round.

A list of all of the successful Community Activator Projects and Local Busines Accelerator communities can be found at here.

My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods where residents from all backgrounds can benefit, enjoy and feel safe in their communities and on their main streets throughout the pandemic. The program takes an inclusive approach, supporting areas that have commercial and community importance, and provides targeted support to racialized neighborhoods and measures to reduce the barriers faced by underrepresented groups.

“The projects supported by this first round of My Main Street demonstrate how communities are creatively working to bring people together—safely, following all the protocols, with local businesses,” said Mary W. Rowe, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute. “They are reminding us of how remarkable our local places and spaces can be accessible to everyone, especially now."

“Main streets that combine placemaking and diverse business balance, result in successful local economies,” said Heather Lalonde, CEO, Economic Developers Council of Ontario. “This project enables communities to ensure that both are possible. Thanks to the support of the FedDev Ontario, communities in southern Ontario will have the resources to establish a strong foundation for moving forward.

Applications for Year Two for the My Main Street Community Activator program are currently being accepted until February 1, 2022. Interested municipalities, business improvement areas and community organizations located within southern Ontario (except for Toronto), are encouraged to learn more and apply at www.mymainstreet.ca.

About My Main Street

My Main Street is a $23.25-million investment by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario. The Canadian Urban Institute and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario have partnered to deliver My Main Street through two program streams. Learn more at www.mymainstreet.ca.