To support the continued recovery and long-term success of local small businesses, the City of Toronto’s Retail Accelerator Program will begin accepting applications.
The Retail Accelerator Program (RAP) provides economic recovery resources for main street small businesses in Toronto impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities. In addition, retail businesses may be eligible for up to $10,000 to help them develop and expand.
Small retail businesses are essential to the vitality and success of Toronto’s main streets and neighbourhoods, and are key drivers of economic prosperity for residents, families, communities and the city as a whole. To assist small businesses in Toronto recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is providing up to $18 million for six programs making up the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative (MRRI).
RAP is the second MRRI program to open for applications. The Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program is currently also accepting applications, offering matching funding of 50 percent to commercial business operators and owners of vacant storefronts (or, in certain limited circumstances, storefronts at risk of becoming vacant) to undertake interior improvements, assisting businesses to re-lease space impacted by COVID-19. Two additional programs – the Main Street Innovation Fund and the CaféTO Commercial and Industrial Property Improvement Program – will open for applications in the new year.
The first round of RAP applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022 or when funds are expended, whichever comes first. The City will be holding virtual information sessions on January 17 and February 15 to learn more about the RAP program, micro grant and application process.
More information about RAP is available on the City’s Retail Accelerator Program webpage.
More information about Toronto MRRI programs is available on the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative webpage.
Grants, training and resources provided through Toronto MRRI programs are available until March 31, 2024, and aim to support small business operators, community business associations, streetscape animation and retail innovation.