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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, O ct ob er 29 ,2 02 0 | 4 coupon TIRES! All Sizes All Brands 20 Armstrong Avenue, Georgetown We have Anco Winter and All Season Wiper Blades! only $7.49/each installation available ehicles + TAX Most Vehicles $3995 only • Oil Change • Antifreeze Check • Lubrication • 52 point inspection • Battery & Wiper Blade Check • FREE FLUID TOP UPS MAinTenAnce Special!* *Upgrade to synthetic from $15 extra *Up to 5 Ltr. most standard vehicles 905-877-1237 ✃ ✃ 52 point inspection Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Change $149.95+ TAX *T6 Rotella synthetic upgrade $239.95 *most standard heavy duty trucks up to 11L Euro Oil Change Full Synthetic $169.95 + TAX *most standard euro vehicles up to 8L Certified Mechanics specializing in diesel, euro and standard vehicles. Best Prices We Will Work On Any Size or Type of Diesel Vehicle "All Types and Sizes we offer Service, Repair and Annual Safety" Along with funding, "en- hancing online presence" and "business planning for a post-COVID-19 world," were at the top of the list. "That was why we ap- plied," Lowe said. "Our busi- nesses are telling us they need our help." The Digital Main Street program runs for eight weeks (from Oct. 19 to Dec. 14), and helps local main street businesses expand and improve their online presence. Eligible businesses will also be able to apply for a $2,500 Digital Transforma- tion Grant to aid in their on- line expansion. Last year, the Downtown Georgetown Business Improvement Ar- ea (BIA) applied for the pro- gram and served roughly 30 downtown businesses. Dini Lamers, entrepre- neur and owner of home de- cor shop Dini & Co. (56 Main St.) in Georgetown, took part in the program last year through the BIA. Lamers said, like many small business owners, she found it was a challenge to make the leap to building her business online. "It is the way of the fu- ture," Lamers said. "Even if you're not shipping prod- ucts, you just need to be out there. Buying online has be- come the new norm for many." To facilitate the pro- gram, the Town has hired a Digital Service Squad mem- ber for the duration of the program to help businesses audit their digital presence and optimize their online presence. "Given the COVID-19 pandemic, a business' on- line presence is more impor- tant than ever," Sarah Schict, the Town's Digital Service Squad member, said. "I look forward to help- ing Halton Hills' businesses increase their ability to adopt and leverage online tools." While local businesses rely on local customers, building an online presence has become increasingly important. "When you look at cus- tomers' transaction pro- cesses, just under 90 per cent start on Google," Lowe said. "It's part of the cost of doing business now." With Amazon and Goo- gle presenting new chal- lenges for small business, those businesses are in- creasingly reliant on their services. "They're a necessary component of the modern- day buying process," Lowe said. "It's very tough to build an online presence if Google doesn't like your webpage. If you're not there (at the infor- mation search point), then you're not in the mix when they do make that purchase decision." Learn more about the Digital Main Street pro- gram at www.InvestHalton- Hills.com/DigitalMain- Street. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Amidst the ongoing economic challenges being faced during the pandemic, we wanted to explore how new programs like Digital Main Street are giving small businesses a fighting chance in a significantly- changed marketplace. NEWS Continued from page 1 IT'S THE 'COST OF DOING BUSINESS': LOWE "Given the COVID-19 pandemic, a business' online presence is more important than ever." - Sarah Schict