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Meraki Beauty Academy receives support through the Government of Canada-funded My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program
Meraki Beauty Academy receives $10,000 through My Main Street to support its downtown small business
Main streets play a vital role in growing the Canadian economy and supporting local communities.
Meraki Beauty Academy is pleased to be receiving a non-repayable contribution of $10,000 through the My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program.
This contribution will allow Meraki Beauty Academy to support findings from the market research provided by My Main Street to drive economic growth and attract new customers to the business and the entire Port Colborne community.
Through its custom market report, Meraki Beauty Academy learned that individuals in its catchment area spend $373 per year on makeup, skin care and fragrance products. Thanks to the My Main Street non-repayable funding, the owner plans to invest in the launch and marketing of an exciting new product line to tap into these personal care expenditures. Data also suggests that currently 82.7 percent of residents in Meraki’s catchment area use Facebook, while only 32.8 percent use Instagram. This encourages the business’ social media usage from being Instagram-focused, to increasing its Facebook marketing efforts to better reach its target audience. Owner, Jessica Minor is planning on using the remaining funds to add more treatment beds to meet the needs of her growing client list, a display case for her new product line, and an illuminated sign for the façade of her building.
On behalf of Meraki Beauty Academy, we’d like to thank Olga Loeffen, the City of Port Colborne and the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario for supporting our local business.
The My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program is delivered by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario with an overall Government of Canada investment of $23.25 million through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support the recovery and strength of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario.
Quotes
“Main streets play a vital role in growing local communities and economies for everyone. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in My Main Street and the small businesses the program serves, resulting in local economic growth and more vibrant neighbourhoods for Canadians and their families to call home.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Small businesses in Port Colborne play a vital role in the success of our local economy. Through My Main Street, our government, in collaboration with EDCO and CUI is committed to helping communities bring their main streets back to life by supporting businesses that will reanimate our neighbourhoods, creating jobs and driving economic growth for local economies.”
- Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
“The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is delighted to be delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to support local business and main streets across southern Ontario. Thanks to the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, local businesses will have access to resources to help create economic opportunities for these main street communities, which is an essential component to a successful local economy.”
- Heather Lalonde, Chief Executive Officer for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario
“A huge thank you to the City of Port Colborne and the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program! As a new business owner, this has allowed me to expand my business and achieve goals I thought would take years. This non-repayable funding has allowed me the opportunity to brand my own Meraki products, and the chance to enhance the appearance of my business both internally and externally. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the ongoing support I have received from Olga; I could not be more grateful.”
- Jessica Minor, Meraki Beauty Academy
“We are so pleased to share that Meraki Beauty Academy has been awarded the My Main Street, non-repayable contribution of $10,000. A big congratulations from city staff and the Economic Development Department on this wonderful achievement. We wish you continued success.”
- Bram Cotton, Economic Development Officer, City of Port Colborne
Associated Links
Media Contacts
My Main Street
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Background:
Economic Developers Council of Ontario
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is delivering the My Main Street, Local Business Accelerator program stream, which is supporting the revitalization of main street communities and provides non-repayable contributions for more than 650 local businesses across southern Ontario. The program focuses on creating and maintaining vibrant and inclusive local main streets while providing residents, new entrepreneurs, and existing businesses with economic opportunities in our communities.
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the City of Port Colborne
Located on the south coast of the scenic Niagara Region, with a mission to provide an exceptional small town experience in a big way, Niagara’s Port of Call has found the perfect balance – successful industrial and commercial sectors, comfortable and scenic residential areas, white sand beaches, unique culinary choices, the world class Sugarloaf Marina, fishing, golfing, trails, shopping districts along the historic Welland Canal and an energized festival and entertainment scene that includes live theatre – truly a community that adds to the overall Niagara experience. To learn how you can PORTicipate with us, visit our website.
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