Ontario's small business minister visited Windsor on Monday to highlight ways the government is helping new and existing small businesses.
Programs like Digital Main Street, RE3: Rebuild, Reopen, Revive and Starter Company grants all helped local businesses stay open during the pandemic.
Ontario Minister for Small Business and Red Tape reduction Nina Tangri indicated setting up businesses for online transactions has been crucial for survival.
"Many businesses in many different industries actually told me that that saved their business throughout the pandemic. So I am really excited that we were able to do that," said Tangri.
The Digital Main Street program was extended for another two years in the Fall Economic Statement. To date, the program has assisted 136 local businesses.
Rosemary Woods, the owner of The Grand Cantina in Ford City, said the grant allowed them to update their software, hardware and train staff on the new technology.
"During the pandemic, you didn't have your normal people walking in off the street so we really relied on technology quite a bit for that," said Woods.
Many of these programs are offered with the support of the local Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre through Invest WindsorEssex.