There are many opportunities to leverage government grants, loans and tax incentive programmes to launch or grow your business in Wellington County. If you have additional resources to share or are looking for specific support, please email us.
General
FedDev Ontario is accepting applications for no-interest, repayable contributions from $500,000 up to $10 million per project for innovative and globally-oriented businesses seeking to accelerate their growth, high-potential firms that are commercializing innovative products, technologies and processes, firms with scale-up potential looking to improve productivity through the adaptation/adoption of highly innovative technologies, and entrepreneurs and businesses in rural areas looking to grow, commercialize and improve productivity. Learn more.
SWODF provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development. This includes financial support and services to help companies grow their businesses, improve productivity, invest in innovation and skills development, pursue new markets, generate broad positive regional economic impact and create new good, sustainable jobs. Learn more.
FedDev Ontario delivers $800,000 annually through EDI to support projects encouraging economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Learn more.
Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. Grants will be available through local and regional service providers across Canada. The service providers will also support a network of e-commerce advisors who will advise and help small businesses adopt e-commerce. Learn more or apply now.
Eligible businesses can leverage the grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor. These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies that will help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy. The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan. Learn more.
The Canada Small Business Financing Programme makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. The maximum loan amount for a borrower is $1.15 million.
- Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for term loans for any one borrower, of which no more than $500,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment and of that amount, a maximum of $150,000 could be used for intangible assets and working capital costs.
- Up to a maximum of $150,000 for lines of credit.
Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.
Aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 with a business operating for less than 12 months may be eligible for up to $60,000 in financing, as well as mentorship and resources. Learn more.
Available to all employers who hire co-op students from an Ontario university. Employers can receive 25% (30% for small businesses) of expenditures back-up to a maximum of $3,000 for each placement. Learn more.
Provides post-secondary students with work opportunities related to their field of study and offers them the opportunity to use their academic knowledge in the workplace. Accessing up to $7,000 in wage subsidy. Learn more.
A programme focused on assisting Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs to start and scale their business. The programme will provide coaching, mentorship, advisory services and grants to entrepreneurs looking to increase their capacity and scale their business. Successful applicants will receive a $10,000 grant to faciliate innovation and growth. Learn more.
Provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. Learn more or apply here.
Employers who train apprentices may be eligible for grants to help mitigate the cost of training. The programme offers up to $17,000 to eligible employers when apprentices meet training and certification milestones. Learn more.
BDC offers a variety of financing solutions for different sectors, size or stage of business:
A financing programme that offers merchant cash advances and loans to eligible businesses based on the store's location, history, use and interaction with the Shopify platform. Shopify Capital's funding can help provide you with business capital to help grow and run your business such as investing in new inventory, marketing initiatives, renting a physical retail space, or hiring staff. Learn more.
Contact your Local Township for more information.
Energy
Incentives for lighting, refrigeration and more. Transform your business operations with energy-saving equipment or control systems through the Save on Energy Retrofit program. Learn more.
Provides financial assistance to support the implementation of energy efficiency and energy management solutions designed to maximize energy performance, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase competitiveness for industry in Canada. Learn more.
Tourism
TIAO’s Tourism Workforce Sustainability Programme aims to expand and diversify Ontario’s tourism workforce while helping employers retain employees for the long-term sustainability of their businesses and the industry.
- Employers who register for the programme will receive tools and support to fill vacant positions, targeting job-seekers from new, diverse and inclusive labour pools.
- All tourism industry employers and positions are eligible. Employees in the programme will also have access to unique Mentorship opportunities to support their individual lifestyle and career goals.
If you have questions about the programme, please contact Leni Brem, Project Manager at lbrem@tiaontario.ca.
The TGP will fund projects that provide added value to existing activities in the tourism industry and focus on business and economic growth. Learn more.
These are micro-grant programmes that will hopefully contribute to supporting the sustainable growth of Elora and Fergus as a destination and generate positive impacts in our communities. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2024. Learn more.
Agriculture, Food and Beverage
A new, cost-share initiative that helps food and beverage processors, farm businesses, and agri-food sector organizations take action to reach new markets. Applicants can receive up to 50% cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $60,000 per business for producers and food and beverage processors, and $125,000 for sector organizations. Learn more.
Offers qualified producers, who are under 40, loans of up to $1.5 million to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. The loan includes features to support their long-term success, including lower lending rates.
Provides up to 50% funding support to a max of $1M in non-repayable funding to help programmes that encourage the agricultural sector to adopt new technology, environmental sustainability, strategic planning and capacity building, emerging issues. Learn more.