Dear Kensington business members,

Today, The City of Calgary launched the second phase to ShopHERE powered by the Google program, with a goal of getting up to 400 businesses online. The COVID-19 crisis has continued to highlight the importance of brick-and-mortar stores having an online presence to sell their goods and services.

The realities facing small business are challenging. Many businesses need a separate avenue that doesn’t add additional costs. To have an eCommerce site to be able to sell products online is essential for survival for many small businesses. ShopHERE’s goal is to get 50,000 deserving companies Canada-wide online so they can reach a wider audience for their products and bring in new revenue. They hire university students to build these websites for registered small businesses, including home-based companies, artists, service providers like hair salons and auto shops, and more. The offer is first-come, first served with 400 spots available.

Business owners can register at: https://programs.digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere-signup-ab.

Here are the other relevant links: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cityofcalgary/status/1351545701319102466

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcalgary/posts/3975463365799924

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKO4-aOBgqZ/ (and currently live on our Instagram story)

Newsroom: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-offering-small-business-ecommerce-support-through-shophere-grants/