Resources For Members
It can be difficult to find resources for small and medium-sized businesses. This page is dedicated to help members of the International Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) find resources which can help your business.
Stay up-to-date, subscribe to the BIA Newsletter. Find grants available for members from the City of Hamilton.
Looking to Start or Expand Your Business? - Hamilton Business Centre
The Hamilton Business Centre (formerly Small Business Enterprise Centre) provides information, tools, and resources that entrepreneurs need to start and grow their businesses.
Information, guidance, and advice on starting, and growing a business. Get connected with a subject matter expert that can help you get the answers you need and provide you with the support and resources to achieve your business goals.
Starter Company Plus - Hamilton Business Centre
Starter Company Plus program from the Hamilton Business Centre is a training and mentorship program for businesses less than two (2) years in age. The program offers opportunities for training in business planning, marketing, social media, bookkeeping, and financial management. Plus, there are funding opportunities of up to $5,000 for eligible businesses approved into the program.
Open a Restaurant in Hamilton Guide - Hamilton Business Centre
This guide provided by the Hamilton Business Centre is here to give you an overview of the 4 steps required to open a restaurant in Hamilton, important departments to connect with, contact details, costs and timelines, and additional resources.
Digital Resource Hub - Hamilton Business Centre
Looking for FREE tools and resources to better help market and operate your small business? Want to learn a new skill so your small business can grow and thrive online? As a small business, expensive software and online subscriptions are often not within the budget.
The Hamilton Business Centre has put together a collection of the 200+ best FREE and freemium tools and resources so you don’t have to spend hours online searching. Each tool and resource listed is either free to use or has a free plan to help you get started.
Visit the HBC Digital Resource Hub today and start exploring everything that’s available.
Access to Professionals (A to P) Series - Hamilton Business Centre
Are you looking for Business Legal, Accounting or Marketing advice? The Access to Professionals (A to P) series from the Hamilton Business Centre provides an opportunity for you to virtually meet with a professional for a 30-minute, one-on-one meeting and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your business.
Food Forge – a Food Product Business Training Program for Hamilton Entrepreneurs - Hamilton Business Centre
Have you ever wanted to launch your own food or beverage business but didn’t know how or where to start? Do you have a food product that is ready to be developed and brought to market right now?
Whether you are a restaurant owner, selling from a local farmer’s market, or a foodie making and baking from home – our free, on demand 5-part video training series will get your favourite recipe retail ready!
Homelessness Support Toolkit for BIAs - Hamilton Economic Development
Many local businesses encounter situations that involve individuals in crisis or in need of support. Navigating these moments with care — while also ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for staff and customers — can be challenging.
To assist, the City of Hamilton has created a resource designed to help businesses respond thoughtfully and effectively when community concerns arise.
The resource includes:
- Guidance on when and who to contact in various situations.
- A directory of local service providers and outreach teams.
- Information about nearby drop-in services, supports, and public amenities.
- Suggestions for inclusive and respectful language.
The goal is to help businesses maintain a positive community presence while responding to challenging circumstances in a safe, compassionate, and informed way.
Canada Digital Adoption Program - Ontario Chamber of Commerce
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant supported by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
Through this program, small business owners can receive a micro-grant worth up to $2,400 to help get their business online, give their e-commerce presence a boost, or digitalize business operations. Grant recipients must commit to maintaining their digital adoption strategy for at least six months.
In addition, e-commerce advisors will be available to work with grant recipients to help identify their digital needs, provide links to digital resources, help with completing applications, and answer questions on the Grow Your Business Online program.
The Business of Accessibility Toolkit - Ontario BIA Association
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires businesses with one or more employees to meet a number of accessibility requirements in the areas of customer service, information and communications, employment, and the built environment. The AODA Design of Public Spaces (DOPS) does not only apply to a building’s physical structure and businesses are not required to do retrofits. However, there are many ways businesses can be more accessible and inclusive of all customers.
This handbook offers no cost and low cost suggestions, gathered from those with first-hand experience, to inspire businesses to become more inclusive of people with access needs.
Rainbow Registered - Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is proud to announce its new national Rainbow Registered accreditation program.
The accreditation will help consumers and prospective employees to more easily identify 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses across Canada.
It will also help businesses of all industries and sizes, demonstrate their commitment and consistent efforts to provide a welcome and accepting experience through progressive policies and practices.
Hamilton Anti-Hate Toolkit - No Hate in the Hammer
The Hamilton Anti-Hate Toolkit is one step in our collective response to hate. This toolkit has something for you, whether you are a community member who wants to stand up against hate, you’re part of an institution that wants to build a safer Hamilton for all, or you have experienced hate and are looking for support and resources.
Keeping Your Business Safe - Hamilton Police Services
Hamilton Police Service is committed to providing essential services throughout the City.
As always, we continue proactive patrols and respond to calls for service to ensure the safety and security of our community. If you observe suspicious activity or individuals, near or close to a business, please call the police immediately.
Reporting crime and providing relevant information allows our investigators to identify suspects and solve crimes.
Please refer to the following safety tips on keeping your business safe:
- Ensure locks, alarms and CCTV are operational
- Leave lights on inside and out
- Remove high-value items from window view
- Back up all business documentation
- Display empty cash drawer in window view
- Track inventory and update insurance coverage
- Post emergency contact information inside the store
- When checking your business, do so during the day
- Tell your business neighbours your plan
- Report suspicious activity to police at 905-546-4925
Download the Hamilton Police Service Crime Prevention Tips and Crime Prevention Business Poster.
Business Benefit Finder - Government of Canada
Find programs and services offered by the Government of Canada to help your business grow. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business, or a not-for-profit organization use this step-by-step resource to help find programs tailored for your business.
Naloxone in the Workplace - Province of Ontario
Starting June 1st, 2023, employers must provide naloxone in the workplace if certain circumstances described in the Occupational Health and Safety Act apply. Learn more about how employers can determine if they need to provide naloxone in the workplace.
Mental Health & Wellness Support - Province of Ontario
Find information about programs that may be right for you based on your mental health, wellness, and addiction needs, and the type of support that you prefer.
