If you have additional resources to share, or are looking for specific support please email ecdev@wellington.ca.

Local Supports

Tourism Funding Opportunities - Elora and Fergus Tourism

Elora and Fergus Tourism has created two new funding streams to support tourism operators in Centre Wellington. The following are launched in 2023 as pilot programmes:

• Tourism Marketing Fund - maximum of $500 to help support Centre Wellington’s Festivals and Events in implementing marketing and promotion initiatives. View the Marketing Fund guidelines.
• Tourism Sustainability Fund - a maximum of $1,500 to support Centre Wellington’s tourism operators in implementing and promoting sustainability strategies in their programmes. View the Sustainability Fund guidelines.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funding is fully allocated. Learn more.

Business Scale-up and Productivity 

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.

Rapid Response for Business Development (RRBD) Initiative

The Grand River Agricultural Society RRBD Initiative will provide up to $10,000 to support Ontario-based, agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, and clean-tech businesses, as they work with established business connections to advance market opportunities and secure sales for their innovative products, processes, or technologies. The program is designed to enable businesses, with preference to those located in Wellington, Waterloo, and Perth counties, to respond quickly to global market opportunities. Applications now open. Learn more.

Business Resurgence Programme

Saugeen Economic Development Corporation is offering a FREE consulting programme for local small businesses. There are several consulting options available: Business Bootcamp, Business Profit Optimizer, Business Advisor, Digital Marketing Coach, or a membership with the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium. Learn more.

RH Accelerator

Grand River Ag Society (GRAS) and RH Accelerator Inc. announce they will work together and co invest in support of local early stage innovative companies in the agriculture, food and cleantech industries. Learn more or apply to take part.

FedDev Ontario

FedDev Ontario works to create opportunities for economic growth in southern Ontario by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive. See funding opportunities here.

Provincial Supports

Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit - 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. 

Six-month interest- and penalty-free period - The province is providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. The six-month period will begin January 1, 2022 and end July 1, 2022.

Ontario Together Fund - Provides funding to firms and organizations for projects that support either Ontario’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or Ontario’s preparedness for future public health emergencies. Funding may include a conditional grant up to 75% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $2.5M and/or complementary supports and services. Application period open until October 1, 2022.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund - provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario. Application intake opening July 12 – August 25, 2022.

Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund - A cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that either encourage the development of innovative new tourism products, support tourism investment and/or build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry. The program also supports innovative tourism recovery projects aimed at increasing tourism within Ontario to address the reduction in global travel as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream - Provides financial support (Up to 15% of eligible project costs) to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario, to support projects which invest in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development. Second application period open August 10, 2022 – September 22, 2022.

Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Program - Employers can get reimbursed for up to three days pay (max $200/day) paid to employees on paid infectious disease emergency leave until July 31, 2022.

Online Covid-19 Safety Plan Builder - The workplace safety plan builder helps lead businesses through an easy three-step process to help develop a customized plan for your business.

Federal Supports

NEW Canada Digital Adoption Program - provides $1.4 billion in grants and 0% loans to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses (SME) digitize their businesses. 

• Grow Your Business Online grant: 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. Apply Now.
• Boost Your Business Technology grant: 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. Apply Now.

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) - supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. Contributions to businesses will be either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs OR fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs.

Canada Small Business Financing Program - For small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower.

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) - Targeted wage and rent support for eligible businesses, charities, and non-profits in the tourism or hospitality sector or those affected by a qualifying public health restriction.

Local Lockdown Program - A way businesses, charities, and non-profits subject to a qualifying public health restriction may be eligible for wage or rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP), even if they are not in tourism or hospitality.

Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) - Targeted wage and rent support for hard-hit eligible businesses, charities, and non-profits outside of tourism or hospitality that have been deeply affected since the start of the pandemic.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) - Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses. Extended until October 23, 2021. Note: The government is proposing to continue COVID-19 business support programs until May 2022.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations. Note: There are no claim periods for the wage and rent subsidies after period 28 (April 10 to May 7, 2022).

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) - For Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, to keep their operations going. Loans of $60,000,000 and above are being made.

Work-Sharing Program – COVID-19 (WS) - A program that helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond the control of the employer. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.

Other Funding and Financial Relief

• Fair Finance Fund Loan offers loans from $20,000 up to $200,000 for a 5-year term at a 6.25% interest rate. Each client receives up to 10 hours of mentorship and business assistance to help navigate business challenges through the loan period from experts in food and farming. Note: next intake opens July 11.
  
• Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (R.A.I.S.E.) is a program focused on assisting Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs to start and scale their business. The program 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.
• Municipal Property Tax Deferral: Contact your Local Township for more information.
• Government of Canada: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, support for individuals, businesses, organizations
• Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant - Employers who train apprentices may be eligible for grants to help mitigate the cost of training.
• Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund - provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. Apply.
• Young Farmer Loan Program - 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.

  • Young Farmer Loan

  • Young Entrepreneur Loan

• Futurpreneur Canada - 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.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Financial relief for entrepreneurs
  • BDC Business Loans - BDC offers a variety of financing solutions for different sectors, size or stage of business.
    • Small Business Loan
    • Start-Up Financing
    • Commercial Real Estate Financing
    • Purchase Order Financing
    • Equipment Purchase Financing
    • Financing for Tech Companies
    • Business Purchase or Transfer Financing
    • Working Capital Financing
    • Technology Financing
• Shopify Capital Funding
• CanExport Programme - Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. Program open for projects that will begin after April 1st, 2022.
• Ontario Together Funding - Helping companies retool, build capacity or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes and other critical public services.
• Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Programme (CASPP)
• Second Career Programme

Health Resources

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph – www.wdgpublichealth.ca/coronavirus

Province of Ontario

• Ontario Ministry of Health – www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
• Ontario Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
• Stop the Spread Business Information Line: 1.888.444.3659

Government of Canada

• Public Health Agency of Canada – www.canada.ca/coronavirus
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19

Agriculture Supports

• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AAFC
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
• Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)
• Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
• Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)

Food Services

Government of Ontario:

• Guide to Starting a Home-based Food Business - Selling Low Risk Food Info Sheet (gov.on.ca)
• Guidance for food processing sector
• Guidance for restaurant and food services sector
• General guidance for curbside pickup and delivery services
• Restaurants – restaurant servers, cooks and dishwashers

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health:

• Food Premises and Events

General Resources

• Canadian Business Resilience Network
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce 
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
• Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) 
• Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (CTC)
• Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
• Conference Board of Canada 
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC Canada) 
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities  (FCM)
• Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA)
• Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
• Ontario Chambers of Commerce (OCC)
• Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4)
• Retail Council of Canada 
• Service Canada
• Service Ontario
• Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Ontario (WSIB)

Local Business Resources

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)
Focusing on job creation through strategic planning, CDFCs provide funding and advisory services to area businesses.

• Wellington Waterloo Community Futures (covering Puslinch, Guelph Eramosa, Erin, Centre Wellington, Mapleton)
• Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (covering Minto, Wellington North)
• Access to a Spreadsheet of the resources here.

Business Centre Guelph Wellington
Provides the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County, helping individuals get into business for themselves. We support the growth and expansion of small businesses in our region.

Innovation Guelph
Building prosperity for community wellbeing by providing mentorship and business support services that help innovative enterprises start, grow and thrive.

FindYourJob.ca
Employment postings brought to you by the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin

Our Food Future Guelph-Wellington
Our Food Future supports three core priorities in the local food economy: Increasing access to affordable, nutritious food; Supporting new and existing food businesses; and Strengthening regional food system resiliency.

• COIL - The Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) is an innovation platform and activation network aimed at creating, proving and scaling transformative solutions that will move Canada toward a more sustainable, circular economy.

  • ReSource Exchange Marketplace - A project of COIL, ReSource Exchange is a free business-to-business marketplace connecting organizations that have food waste and by-products with others that will find use for them. Using ReSource Exchange, businesses can turn their waste into a revenue stream instead of an expense and access new production inputs.

  • Activate Circular Accelerator - Intake closes soon for qualifying food and environment businesses who are ready to scale and become more circular. The Accelerator offers funding of up to $30k as well as training and mentorship.
  • Circulate CoLab - Intake is open now for teams of companies proposing a partnered innovation answering the challenge of increasing circularity in upstream food systems. Three teams will receive $20k to prototype their solution, and will then compete for funding of $100k to scale up into a full demonstration project.
  • Re(PURPOSE) Incubator - Intake is launching this month for qualifying food companies to participate in a waste audit process which can result in a new value stream emerging from unavoidable waste.

• Circular Economy Digital Passport - The circular economy digital passport provides free access to a diverse community of organizations committed to building a circular economy and connects businesses with programs, business resources, and experts that can support them on their circular journey.

• Harve$t Impact Community Donation Platform - Harve$t Impact, a project of 10C, is a new community finance intermediary, supporting the goals of Our Food Future in Guelph-Wellington by activating community donations, philanthropy and social finance investments.

Other Resources

Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington - offer settlement services to help immigrants participate fully in Canadian life, as well as Translation and Interpretation Program Services. 

Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) - not-for-profit organization delivering skills training, consulting, research and insight.

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) - advocate the importance of tourism as an economic driver and job creator in order to serve the interests of Ontario’s diverse tourism industry and business community.

• A Three Fires Collaborative Quest - designed to fill critical gaps within the industry and encourage recovery and growth of the province’s tourism workforce by bringing awareness of opportunities to potential Indigenous employees. Participation available for Employers and Employees.

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The County of Wellington sells its surplus municipal equipment online through GovDeals. GovDeals is an online auction service that allows government agencies to sell their surplus assets via the Internet.

Visit GovDeals to view available County surplus for sale.