Rural Oxford E-Business Program Will Help Rural Businesses Sell Products Online

Friday, 8 May 2020 13:28

Rural Oxford businesses located in Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford or Zorra township are eligible for grants up to $1,000 to help them sell products online.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation has launched the Rural Oxford E-Business Grant Program.

The program is designed to help local business owners implement or improve how they sell their products online. Oxford businesses hard hit by the ongoing challenges from coronavirus are eligible to apply as long as they are a legal, for profit business operating in Rural Oxford and are not receiving funding from other grant programs for e-commerce solutions.

The ROEDC Board unanimously approved a $25,000 investment into this grant program. Board Chair, Jim Pickard says it is extremely important to support local business right now.

“We need to stand behind our rural communities and support our people. We hope this program will help our local producers and small businesses serve their customers online, now and into the future.”

ROEDC Economic Development Officer Ronda Stewart says it's amazing to see some of the work happening in Oxford Count right now.

“The creativity, determination and entrepreneurial spirit in Oxford County is inspiring. I'm proud to work for an organization where the leaders around the Board table have such a keen interest in helping our community. The Board’s decision to invest in this new direction provides us an opportunity to respond and further support some of our rural companies with resources that will help them through COVID-19 and beyond."

Rural Oxford businesses located in Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, SouthWest Oxford or Zorra township are eligible for grants up to $1,000.

Businesses can utilize their grant for the implementation of their chosen e-commerce solution to enhance their online business activities. Eligible projects must be implemented and paid for between March 15 and December 15, 2020.

ROEDC has partnered with Community Futures Oxford and Tourism Oxford to make this grant program possible.

To find out if your business is eligible for this grant program visit www.roedc.ca/rural-oxford-ebusiness-grant-program.