The Township of Madawaska Valley, as a member of the Rural Community Cooperative, have announced that they received a $51,153.90 grant for a two-year Digital Service Squad program, which provides small business owners with the tools and supports needed to digitally transform their business.

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street (DMS), with trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses, at no cost, to help them complete an online assessment and to introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills. This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses with the development of their Digital Transformation Plan and then with the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

Beginning on August 1, 2022, the Digital Service Squad member will start working towards helping local business owners for a term of approximately 10.5 months in the hopes of serving at least 240 businesses in the catchment area. Starting in Madawaska Valley, time allotted to each municipality will be based on the number of businesses in the area. The DSS member will work down Highway 60 toward Eganville until November 2023 when the project is scheduled to be completed.

ABOUT THE RURAL COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE

The Rural Community Cooperative is a partnership between six rural municipalities in Renfrew County. The group focuses on various community and economic development projects, sharing costs and resources. Partnering municipalities include the municipalities of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards, Madawaska Valley, Bonnechere Valley, Brudenell Lyndoch, Raglan and North Algona Wilberforce and White-Water Region.

To read Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards press release, click here: Press Release – Digital Service Squad