“A lot of small businesses do not have the expertise to go digital,” said John Candie, executive director for the Prescott-Russell Community Futures Corporation (PRCFC). “We can help them.”

The PRCFC received $104,000 from the federal Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).

The money will go towards the agency’s programs for assisting and advising local small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to adapt their operations towards the growing e-commerce market.

Some of the funds will also go towards the agency’s more traditional advisory programs to assist new entrepreneurs with their new business startups. Those advisory programs are also available to more-established small-business owners who need help with some business basics.

“Some people do need help with doing up a business plan,” said Candie, adding that the agency can also offer help with improving basic record-keeping for small business accounts or applying for an HST number that most SMEs now need to help with applications for senior-level government aid programs.

The PRCFC will have an online support link on its website for SME owners who wish to apply for the e-commerce aid program. Candie noted that all support and advice offered will be tailored to the specific needs of the applicant.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all program,” he said. “Everybody has different issues to deal with.”