You probably know someone who owns or works at one of Ottawa’s estimated 28,000 small businesses. We all enjoy the variety, service and convenience of shopping local.
Did you know that there are ways you can show support without spending money? One way is to enter the Instagram Small Business Week Contest, which we will launch on Sunday, October 15. Follow @cityofottawa on Instagram, follow the contest instructions, and you will be entered in a draw to win one of five $100 gift cards to the local small business of your choice. The complete rules can be found at ottawa.ca/local, starting Sunday.
You can enter multiple times, so keep these options in mind:
Visit a newly opened business!
Small businesses are most vulnerable in their first months and years of operation, so seek out a new one in your neighbourhood or near the office.
Check out your local Business Improvement Area (BIA)!
Many small businesses are members of BIAs. There are 18 of them in Ottawa and one of them is probably working hard near you. Supporting your local BIA often results in supporting local small businesses.
Get out and stay out!
The goal of the contest is to bring increased visibility to local businesses. So, to participate, you need to visit the business in person. Why not make a day or evening of it? When you support bars, theatres and other venues with live entertainment, you’re helping the business as well as the artists performing there.
Go rural!
Did you know that our municipal footprint is so vast that Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver would all fit inside it? In all that geography, there are many rural communities with small businesses, markets and events.
When you #SupportLocal, you contribute to a vibrant and thriving #MyOttawa. The contest runs until Sunday, October 22, during Small Business Week, but you can still support small businesses every other week of the year.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.