My Main Street: Final Report

Main streets are the heart of communities—vital social, cultural, and economic hubs that shape local identity and bring people together. Yet in recent years, many have faced growing pressures, from changing consumer habits and shifting economic conditions to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

My Main Street was created to help communities respond to these challenges by investing directly in small businesses and placemaking projects that strengthen local economies and support vibrant, people-centered neighbourhoods.

Building on the success of its initial pilot, the program’s second phase (2024–2025) provided funding, data, and tailored supports to 719 small businesses and 79 community projects across Southern Ontario. Through its two complementary streams—the Business Sustainability initiative and the Community Activator initiative—My Main Street demonstrated how business support and placemaking can work together to drive long-term economic and social impact.

The My Main Street report provides profiles of the funded recipients, how the funds were used, and the impacts of the initiative. It also highlights the experiences of the recipients and helps demonstrate the impact of the program on the ground.

Through recipient stories, statistics, testimonials, and project examples, the report showcases how strategic investments in local businesses and public spaces can help create resilient, prosperous, and thriving main streets.