Sandwich Business Development Program
Timing: 2020-2024
Partners: Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, A Division of Invest WindsorEssex, Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator
The Sandwich Business Development Program is a five-year program that offers free business acceleration, development activities and two business summits for entrepreneurs and businesses currently located or interested in the Sandwich/west Windsor community. This $500,000 investment is being delivered by the project’s Community Benefits team in partnership with the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, A Division of Invest WindsorEssex and Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator.
2024 Information Session
On January 24, 2024, Sandwich/west Windsor businesses and entrepreneurs were invited to an information session to learn about the business support available through the Sandwich Business Development Program.
The information session included presentations about the Gordie Howe International Bridge project construction and supports available through this program and a presentation on best practices for using digital marketing tools to boost business and remain competitive during nearby construction.
View the information session presentation here.
Business Support Programming (2020-2024)
Business support programming launched in 2020 and will continue through 2024.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, A Division of Invest WindsorEssex will receive $50,000 annually for five years, totalling $250,000, to provide business advisory services, host business development workshops and implement a Digital Main Street program for the Sandwich Area. Services in 2024 are expected to include:
- Drop-in, in-person office hours at the John Muir Library Branch in Sandwich
- Consultations with individual businesses
- Providing digital assessments and support applying for digital transformation grants through the Digital Mainstreet Program
- Workshops
- Networking events
- Information sessions
- Marketing support for Sandwich-are businesses during adjacent construction
- Engaging local youth in Summer Company Programming
Further information about the programming and how to participate is available at webusinesscentre.com or by contacting info [at] webusinesscentre.com (info[at]webusinesscentre[dot]com.)
The Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator will receive $20,000 annually for five years, totalling $100,000, to host workshops, provide business coaching and host events targeted to engage women-owned businesses. Programming will include:
- Customized one-on-one services
- Offering pop-up space in the Accelerator’s facility at 1501 Howard Avenue.
Further information about the programming and how to participate is available at downtownaccelerator.com or by contacting arthur [at] downtownaccelerator.com (arthur[at]downtownaccelerator[dot]com.)
2020 Sandwich Business Development Summit
The first Sandwich Business Development Summit took place on Tuesday October 27, 2020. This event was directed towards businesses in Sandwich/west Windsor and Windsor-based entrepreneurs to learn more about leveraging the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge for business opportunities.
The 2020 Sandwich Summit Resource Guide was created to provide event attendees and other local businesses with detailed information about the program supports that will be offered through the Sandwich Business Development Program and how to register. The resource guide also includes information about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the Community Benefits Plan for the project, Sandwich Street Reconstruction and additional business resources that may be of interest to Windsor-based entrepreneurs.
A second Sandwich Business Development Summit will occur in 2024.