ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
NB, Canada
Money to future-proof your Atlantic Canada for-profit business
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Government of Canada
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grant_card_status|open
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If your business is working on a project to transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, become more competitive and create jobs for Canadians, you could get an interest-free, repayable contribution for up to 50% of the project’s costs.
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This grant is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, indicating a focus on the Atlantic Canada region. Eligible geographical areas for companies applying must align with this regional administration.
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$250,000
Implementing solar panels on community centers to drive green, sustainable growth
$150,000
Launching a workforce training program for under-represented groups in clean tech
$225,000
Adopting blockchain technology for supply chain transparency in agricultural sector
$200,000
Creating an inclusive coding bootcamp for under-represented communities
$375,000
Developing an AI-driven platform to enhance supply chain resilience and diversification
$450,000
Developing a bioplastic production facility to reduce plastic waste and create jobs
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the type of applicant.
- The applicant must be a business, including co-operatives.
- Alternatively, the applicant can be a non-profit organization or a community economic development partner.
- Indigenous applicants and Indigenous-led organizations and businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant targets businesses and organizations that aim to create jobs and facilitate long-term economic growth in Canada, through a variety of initiatives tailored towards green economy transition, inclusivity, enhancing competitiveness, and bolstering critical sectors.
- Businesses and cooperatives.
- Non-profit organizations and community economic development partners.
- Indigenous applicants, especially Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for the Jobs and Growth Fund grant in Canada:
- Businesses created before January 2020.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant aims to support activities that transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, preserve competitiveness through digital adoption, and strengthen critical sectors. These initiatives encompass technological, economic, and social aspects to aid businesses and communities in building resilience and capacity for future growth.
- Support the development and adoption of clean technology for a green economy.
- Assist communities and businesses in planning and driving sustainable economic growth.
- Partner with organizations to catalyze the development of green regional clusters.
- Collaborate with organizations supporting the transition to a green economy.
- Support businesses owned or led by under-represented groups to foster an inclusive recovery.
- Increase participation of under-represented groups by backing organizations that offer funding, services, and training.
- Support the development or adoption of digital and technological solutions to enhance productivity.
- Invest in technologies that scale businesses and enhance their capabilities.
- Support scale-up and market expansion in traditional and emerging competitive sectors.
- Aid supply chain adaptation and diversification in critical sectors such as food production and biomanufacturing.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses that are essential for the execution and success of the project.
- Costs related to the transition to a green economy through clean technology development and adoption.
- Expenses for fostering an inclusive recovery by supporting under-represented business groups.
- Investment in digital and technological solutions for enhancing business productivity.
- Expenditures for strengthening capacity in critical sectors through scale-up and market expansion activities.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Jobs and Growth Fund has evaluation and selection criteria. Eligible projects are assessed based on their alignment with the fund's objectives and their potential impact on job creation and economic growth.
- Alignment with fund objectives
- Potential impact on job creation
- Potential impact on economic growth
- Feasibility and sustainability of the project
- Ability to leverage other sources of funding
- Benefits to under-represented groups or communities
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility
- Ensure your business or organization is one of the eligible applicants such as businesses, co-operatives, non-profit organizations, community economic development partners, or Indigenous-led organizations.
- Verify that the project activities align with eligible activities like transitioning to a green economy, fostering inclusive recovery, digital adoption, or strengthening critical sectors.
- Step 2: Consult the Applicant Guide
- Thoroughly read and understand the detailed applicant guide to ensure you have all necessary information and meet all criteria.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Complete the Jobs and Growth Fund application form online.
- Gather additional supporting documents as outlined in the applicant guide.
- Step 4: Submit the Application
- Submit your completed form through the application for financial assistance page.
- Alternatively, send your application by mail to the ACOA regional office in your province.
- Step 5: Confirm Submission
- Contact ACOA Business Information Services at 1-888-576-4444 if you have any questions or need confirmation on the submission process.
- Check your email for a confirmation of submission if applicable.
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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Jobs and Growth Fund is no longer accepting applications in Atlantic Canada as it is closed.
- The fund distributed $700 million nationally, with specific allocations for new businesses and Indigenous clients.
- This initiative was available through Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs).
- Assistance to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organizations varied in terms of repayable contributions, with specific percentage caps on eligible costs.
- The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) specifically managed the fund in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
grant_single_labels|contact
1-888-576-4444
Apply to this program
Driving Economic Growth and Job Creation
The Jobs and Growth Fund provides essential financial support to businesses and organizations in Canada, facilitating job creation and strengthening local economies to ensure long-term growth and sustainability. Though the application window has closed, the fund demonstrates the Canadian government’s commitment to transitioning towards a greener economy and bolstering inclusivity via regional development agencies.
Significant Encouragements from the Jobs and Growth Fund Initiatives
The Jobs and Growth Fund has been instrumental in catalyzing economic transformation across Canada. This pivotal funding, allocated through Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), particularly the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), aimed to support enterprises in transitioning towards a sustainable, inclusive, and digitally advanced economic landscape. With a substantial allocation of $700 million nationally, and a dedicated $70 million for Atlantic Canada, the fund was designed to enhance competitiveness, stimulate local economies, and create jobs, especially in sectors that are crucial for Canada's emerging green economy and inclusive recovery.
The fund prioritized green technology development, facilitating businesses to plan and drive sustainable economic growth. Supporting innovation-driven initiatives meant equipping businesses with the capabilities to adapt and thrive amidst evolving global ecological and economic standards. For Indigenous-led businesses and underrepresented groups, the fund not only emphasized support but also offered an opportunity to contribute uniquely to building more resilient supply chains and competitive advantages within their regional economies.
In addition to environmental emphasis, the fund underscored inclusivity, making it a pivotal aspect of Canada's broader recovery strategy. This entailed supporting enterprises led by underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and other minority groups, ensuring that their unique contributions are harnessed for the collective economic benefit. Not-for-profit organizations also received backing to engage in activities that would stimulate organizational growth and capacity, further bridging participation gaps in the economic ecosystem.
Through the fund, beneficiaries were able to leverage contributions that could cover up to 90% of eligible project costs for not-for-profit organizations and 50% for businesses. This generous funding model allowed project leaders to invest in technology and digital solutions that enhanced business resilience, improved productivity, and tapped into new market segments. The strategic impetus on digital adoption stimulated advancements in Industry 4.0 solutions, enhancing competitiveness, and setting the stage for a swift recovery post-pandemic.
The fund was also pivotal in sectoral capacity building, emphasizing support for supply chain diversification in critical industries. This was particularly significant for sectors such as food production and biomanufacturing, where Canadian capabilities were bolstered to ensure future adaptability and sustainability. By advancing projects that address immediate economic and social challenges while also embedding long-term growth frameworks, the fund set a precedent for future economic policies focusing on integrated and sustainable development strategies.
Overall, while the fund’s application period has ended, its legacy impacts continue to influence Canadian industries fostering creativity, resilience, and competitiveness. This comprehensive approach towards supporting businesses indicates the government's vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economic future, ensuring Canada remains at the forefront of global industrial advancements. Moving forward, lessons and methodologies derived from the Jobs and Growth Fund could serve as blueprints for future funding opportunities as the nation continues to evolve in the face of global challenges and opportunities.