Halifax joins ShopHERE powered by Google to Help Small Businesses Sell Online

Posted: October 1, 2020

Today, Halifax Partnership launched the ShopHERE powered by Google program in Halifax, a Canadian initiative that helps small businesses build online stores, increase their digital presence, and minimize the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Halifax businesses are eager to expand their customer base and markets through e-commerce, and the onset of COVID-19 has only amplified and accelerated this need,” said Wendy Luther, President and CEO Halifax Partnership. “The ShopHERE program will address businesses’ immediate and long-term need for digital and e-commerce adoption and help them adapt and increase their competitiveness during this challenging time.”

ShopHERE is an initiative of the Digital Main Street program which helps main street businesses in Canada achieve digital transformation. The Halifax ShopHERE program will be delivered by Halifax Partnership and offered at no cost to 80 to 100 businesses. Participating businesses will be matched with a ShopHERE student Helper who will build and/or optimize their online store. In a matter of days, businesses can be selling online and receiving training and one-on-one support on digital marketing, shipping and managing inventory. Participants will also have access to free benefits and tools from partners such as Shopify, Google, Square, Microsoft, Intuit Quickbooks, and Mastercard.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is supporting this project with a $100,000 non-repayable contribution from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).

“Now more than ever, businesses need tools and resources to adapt to an ever-changing business environment,” said Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. “Programs like ShopHERE provide small- and medium-sized businesses with the training and experience needed to rapidly move online, allowing them to not only survive, but to thrive and enter new markets.”

The Halifax ShopHERE program is now accepting applications. Businesses can find the eligibility criteria and apply for the program at halifaxpartnership.com/shophere.

Partner Quotes:

“Businesses in Halifax are well positioned to benefit from the established ShopHERE program which has been harnessed by thousands of businesses across Ontario. We are proud to expand the ShopHERE program to Halifax to help businesses adapt and evolve during this unprecedented time.” – John Kiru, Toronto Association for Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), Co-Founder of Digital Main Street.
“Since Google began its business in Canada nearly twenty years ago, we’ve been focused on helping Canadian businesses of all sizes to unlock the prosperity of the internet. We remain optimistic and more determined than ever that technology is the toolkit for a world of opportunities. Our one-million-dollar investment will go towards expanding the ShopHERE program nationally, so we can help small businesses across Canada navigate the challenges ahead.” - Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager, Google Canada.

Media Contacts:
Alison Gillan, APR
Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations & Communications
Halifax Partnership
902-719-6797
[email protected]

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
ACOA Nova Scotia
902-830-3839

[email protected]

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About Halifax Partnership

Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s public-private economic development organization. We work to keep, grow, and get business, talent, and investment in Halifax. The Partnership’s network of influential and globally connected Investors and partners are committed to building a thriving, prosperous Halifax.

www.halifaxpartnership.com

About Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

ACOA works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by: helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive; working with various communities to develop and diversify local economies; and championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians, ACOA is building a stronger economy. For more information, visit canada.ca/acoa-apeca.

About ShopHERE powered by Google

Digital Main Street's ShopHERE program powered by Google is a Canadian initiative helping small businesses and artists build online stores, increase digital presence, and minimize the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. ShopHERE is supported by the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and corporate partners including Google, Shopify, Square, Mastercard, Microsoft, Facebook and Intuit Quickbooks. In May 2020, Google Canada announced a one-million-dollar investment to enable Digital Main Street to expand the program. Google’s investment will help more small businesses and artists receive the digital skills training needed to participate in the digital economy.

https://digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere

About Digital Main Street

Digital Main Street is a program and service that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of highly trained recent graduates who help main street businesses grow and manage their business through the adoption of digital tools and technology.

Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto and Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Digital Main Street is also supported by a group of strategic corporate sponsors, including Google, Intuit Quickbooks. Facebook. MasterCard, Microsoft and Shopify.

https://digitalmainstreet.ca/

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