Business Resources

Community Improvement Grants

Wellington County's Community Improvement Grant programme offers top-up funding incentives for businesses participating in their local municipality’s Community Improvement funding (CIF).

Wellington County blade signs mounted at the side of the road, listing local businesses and distance to them

Wellington County offers a pay-to-play tourism signage programme. This initiative allows tourism-based businesses both in, and just outside, the County to purchase a sign to be displayed on Wellington County signage.

Funding Opportunities

Find essential financial resources to start, grow and sustain your business. Invest in research and development, expand operations, create job opportunities and more.

Commecial property in background with a for sale sign in foreground

Commercial & Industrial Properties

Our communities offer a wide range of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. View the different types of land and buildings available, and what properties have the correct zoning for you and your business.

Diverse female adults using computers during a workshop

Events and Workshops

Learn, connect and grow. Discover business and industry events from local community partners and organizations in our online calendar.

Woman coffee shop owner putting an open sign on the front door.

Business Directory

Looking for something specific? Search our Business Directory by name, keyword, municipality and/or industry to find the Wellington business you're looking for.

Business Programmes & Supports

Local Start-up and Entrepreneurial Support

Organization	Description
Waterloo Wellington Community Futures	A not-for-profit offering support, consultations, financing, and training for rural businesses in Wellington County and the Region of Waterloo. Supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). www.wwcf.ca
LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre	A community hub connecting individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners with information, space, and people to explore bold ideas and spark action in business. They provide local access to workshops, events, lunch and learns, workplace training resources, and custom business development support. LaunchIt serves rural communities across northern Wellington County, including Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North. www.launchitminto.com
Business Centre Guelph Wellington	Business Centre Guelph-Wellington provides the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County, helping individuals get into business for themselves. They support the growth and expansion of small businesses by offering a variety of workshops, resources and one-on-one advisory services. www.guelphbusiness.com
LiftOff Waterloo Wellington	The LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Programme supports Black entrepreneurs from the earliest stages of starting a business to innovating, growing, and scaling an existing business. Offers one-on-one coaching at no cost. www.liftoffbyccawr.com
Boundless Accelerator (formally known as Innovation Guelph)	Award-winning programmes and initiatives to support businesses from startup to scaleup for a strong, diverse, inclusive, sustainable economy. Access with mentorship, resources, and connections. www.boundlessaccelerator.ca
Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)	Servicing Wellington North in Wellington County, SEDC provides loans and equity investment, small business counselling, and supports community economic development through workshops and seminars. www.sbdc.ca

Chambers of Commerce

Chambers of Commerce aid local business growth by providing information and connecting professionals with resources that are needed. Businesses that belong to a Chamber take great pride in their membership as part of an organization that plays a key role in the community.

Chamber Name	Website
Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce	www.arthurchamber.ca
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce	www.cwchamber.ca
Erin Chamber of Commerce	www.erinchamber.ca
Mapleton Chamber of Commerce	www.mapletonchamber.ca
Minto Chamber of Commerce	www.mintochamber.on.ca
Mount Forest and District Chamber of Commerce	www.mountforestchamber.ca
Guelph Chamber of Commerce	www.guelphchamber.com
Ontario Chamber of Commerce	www.occ.ca
Canadian Chamber of Commerce	chamber.ca

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)

Business Improvement Areas (BIA) join local business individuals and property owners - with the support of the municipality - to organize, finance and carry out physical improvements and promote economic development in their district. This includes beautification, revitalization and maintenance, marketing and promotions, special events, business recruitment, and acting as a liaison with community and municipal partners.

BIA Name	Website
Arthur BIA	https://www.instagram.com/arthurdowntownbia/
Elora Business Improvement Area	www.elora.info
Fergus Business Improvement Area	www.downtownfergus.ca
Mount Forest BIA	www.facebook.com/downtownmountforest

Job Boards

Job Board Name	Description
FindYourJob.ca	FindYourJob.ca is the job board for Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. It pulls on-line job postings from job boards and brings them together so that local job candidates can see them in one place. See how you can ensure your job postings make it onto the site! FindYourJob.ca
Wellington County Job Board	Are you looking to hire? Be sure your positions are being posted to our local job board, which link directly from the following source websites: Indeed Canada Job Bank Live and Work Centre Wellington
Agilec	Searching for top talent to join your team? With a wide range of job listings across industries and locations, Agilec makes it easy for job seekers and employers to connect. agilec.ca/job-board
2nd Chance	Professional services are available to you at no cost. 2nd Chance can help you minimize the time and cost involved in the recruitment, hiring and retention of employees. 2ndchance.ca/submit-a-job

Workforce Planning

Employment Resources

Organization	Description
Lutherwood	Not-for-profit offering a wide range of mental health, employment development, housing, and family support services. Free service that helps individuals find and maintain their jobs, and employers recruit and train employees. www.lutherwood.ca
Agilec	Canadian career and employment services provider, offering personalized support to job seekers, employers, and individuals with disabilities. Offer a range of services and business supports to meet recruitment and retention needs. www.agilec.ca
2nd Chance	Professional, no cost services available to employers to minimize the time and cost involved in the recruitment, hiring and retention of employees. www.2ndchance.ca
Anishnabeg Outreach	Incorporated non-profit providing Indigenous people with access to culturally appropriate services, and support individuals with direction and assistance to overcome barriers. Take advantage of tax incentives, funding, and programs to help hire and train employees for your business, not-for-profit or public-sector organization. www.aocan.org

Health and Safety

Organization	Information
Government of Ontario	Health and safety for small businesses Learn about your health and safety responsibilities as a small business employer and how to get help keeping your workplace safe. www.ontario.ca
Government of Canada	Workplace health and safety Learn about workplace hazards, rights and responsibilities, health and wellness, injury prevention, compensation and the federal Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. www.canada.ca
Canadian Red Cross	Ready Rating programme Ready Rating helps businesses and organizations become better prepared for disasters and other emergencies. Get support to create emergency action plans, gain access to resources and more, all for free. www.readyrating.ca
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)	Health and safety for Ontario workplaces Workplace safety resources, training and certification for Ontario workers. Gain access to events, consulting, free resources and more. www.wsps.ca

Mental Health Resources for Business

Organization	Description
Mind Beacon Therapist Guided Programme	Free mental health support for Ontario residents dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and more, thanks to funding from the Government of Ontario. www.mindbeacon.com
Connex Ontario	Information and referral service, focusing on mental health, addiction and problem gambling - available to Ontarians via phone, web-chat and email 24/7. www.connexontario.ca
Togetherall	Online peer-to-peer support community for mental health. Moderated 24/7 by trained practitioners who keep members safe togetherall.com
BounceBack	Free telephone coaching and skill-building programme for adults and youth 15+ can access over the phone. Work through a series of workbooks at your own schedule, to gain practical skills to better manage low mood, anxiety, worry or stress. bouncebackontario.ca
Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington	Find resources, information, and guidance to help navigate mental health. www.here4help.ca/Waterloo-Wellington
eMentalHealth.ca	Find mental health help in your area and access infosheets on a wide range of topics including stress, understanding mental health disorders, and strategies for caregivers. eMentalHealth.ca
Think Mental Health	A joint effort from Ontario Health and Safety System Partners to provide business owners with the resources needed to better understand and prevent mental health problems. thinkmentalhealth.ca
Ontario Federation of Agriculture	A telehealth line to provide mental wellness support to all Ontario farmers and farm families. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in English and French. Call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor. www.ofa.on.ca
The Conference Board of Canada	Ongoing research and resources for mental health. www.conferenceboard.ca
The Farmers' Toolbox	Mental health resource database curated for farmers, anyone in the agricultural industry, and for residents of rural Ontario. www.thefarmerstoolbox.com
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association	Helping agricultural producers and community partners to see and manage risk. casa-acsa.ca
Do More Ag	A not-for-profit organization focusing on mental health in agriculture across Canada. www.domore.ag
MHCC Workplace Mental Health	A mini-guide is designed to help employers provide workers with specific tools and resources during the winter months. Winter Mini-Guide www.theworkingmind.ca
Lumino Health	Provider and Research Search Tool as well as health guide and health topics. luminohealth.sunlife.ca

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