My Main Street: Local Recovery Through Community Strength

The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) launched a pilot program with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario called My Main Street, a $23.25-million investment funded by FedDev Ontario, to help drive business and restore vibrancy to local communities across southern Ontario as we continue to wrestle with COVID-19.

The My Main Street Business Accelerator will support the revitalization of 65 main street communities through dedicated Main Street Ambassador(s), customized marketing research, data analysis and non-repayable contributions for small businesses.

The My Main Street Community Activator will support up to 140 placemaking projects aimed at strengthening the connection between people and places through activities, events, community improvements and policy development. Support will be provided in the form of reimbursements against incurred costs.

The first window for applications for the Community Activator is open until November 1, with funding for placemaking projects that are planned, completed or underway in 2021 with reimbursements offered for work completed between June 8 and December 31 in southern Ontario (excluding Toronto, which has its own main street reactivation programs).

If you have any questions, please reach out to:

• Local Business Accelerator
• Community Activator

A Community Activator information session will be held Tuesday, October 26, 2021 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here.

To learn more about the program, please visit the My Main Street website.