(May 20, 2026) MARKHAM – Today at Sable Metal Fabrication in Markham, Associate Minister of Small Business, Nina Tangri announced that the Government of Ontario is investing an additional $5 million through the Digital Competence Centre (DCC) to help small businesses across the province modernize operations, adopt new digital technologies, strengthen cyber resilience, and improve competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy.

“Our government is making targeted investments to help small businesses succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business. “By expanding the Digital Competence Centre, we are giving Ontario entrepreneurs the tools, resources and expertise they need to compete and succeed in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.”

The investment will support the continued expansion of the DCC’s flagship programs, including the Digital Modernization Adoption Program (DMAP), Technology Demonstration Program (TDP), and Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG). The announcement was made at one of the recipients, Sable Metal Fabrication, an Ontario manufacturer that has leveraged DCC support to implement advanced manufacturing and AI-enabled business systems.

Since launching in 2022, the Digital Competence Centre has supported 816 projects with Ontario small businesses through a combined investment of $15.4 million, matched by $17.8 million in private sector contributions. Businesses participating in DCC programming are projected to generate more than $618 million in additional revenue.

“The Digital Competence Centre is helping Ontario businesses turn digital adoption into measurable economic growth,” said Claudia Krywiak. “Through investments in modernization, automation, AI adoption, and digital transformation, Ontario companies are improving productivity, increasing revenues, creating jobs, and strengthening their long-term competitiveness. OCI is proud to continue delivering programming that helps businesses across the province scale, innovate, and succeed.”

The new investment will support an additional 448 projects with Ontario businesses over the next year through 72 DMAP projects, 25 TDP projects, and 351 RMPG projects.

DCC participants have reported an average of six jobs retained or created, a 14 per cent increase in output, a 23 per cent increase in cost savings, and 192 hours of labour saved per month. Retail Modernization Project Grant recipients have also reported an average increase of five new customers per day.

“Ontario’s economy is built on small businesses, making it critical to support entrepreneurs in adopting advanced digital technologies that will empower them to keep pace with industry demands,” said Raed Kadri, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN. “This renewed investment in the Digital Competence Centre will help more local companies embrace leading-edge digital tools to improve operational efficiency, deliver impactful customer experiences, and catalyze long-term economic growth in communities across Ontario.”

As a recipient of both the DMAP and TDP programs, Sable Metal Fabrication has implemented a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and deployed AI-enabled CRM technologies to modernize operations and significantly improve lead generation and productivity. As a result, Sable has increased lead generation by 1000%, seen operational cost savings of up to 12 per cent and annual labour savings of up to 1,500 hours through its digital modernization efforts.

The Digital Competence Centre is delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation with support from the Government of Ontario.

Quick Facts

• Ontario is home to more than 515,000 small businesses employing close to 3.9 million people.
• The retail sector contributes more than $43 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP.
• Since 2022, DCC programming has supported 384 DMAP projects, 72 TDP projects, and 360 retail modernization projects.
• The Retail Modernization Project Grant became the fastest-growing program in DCC history following its expansion in 2025.

Quotes

“With support from DCC, we’ve brought real-time data FROM the shop floor and connected it directly with our sales and planning systems. It’s made a real difference, helping us move quicker, make better decisions, and stay competitive in a demanding global market.”
– Scott Harnett, Owner, Sable Metal Fabrications

“This project has really helped us launch our business into the 21st century.  Programs like DCC’s RMPG are incredibly important for independent businesses like ours because they help level the playing field in an increasingly digital retail environment. As a small business serving Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community for more than 30 years, digital modernization is essential to helping us remain competitive, improve operational efficiency, better manage inventory, strengthen our e-commerce capabilities, and enhance the customer experience both in-store and online. Support through programs like this allows businesses like ours to invest in technology that might otherwise be financially out of reach during periods of growth and transition.”
– Michael Azzopardi, Vice President, Out on the Street Inc.

“We believe this digital transformation will be a key driver of business growth. By becoming more efficient and scalable, we anticipate being able to expand our business, reach more customers, and ultimately create more jobs as we grow. This is not just an investment in technology — it is an investment in the future of our company and our team.”
– Jonathan Tse, Operations Lead at Harmony Jeweller

About the Digital Competence Centre (DCC)
Led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation, the Digital Competence Centre helps Ontario small and medium-sized businesses adopt, integrate, and scale digital technologies through funding programs, advisory services, and ecosystem partnerships. DCC supports manufacturers, technology companies, and retailers in improving productivity, cybersecurity, and competitiveness in a digital economy.

Media
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovaiton.ca