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Building Sector Capacity, Growth and Competitiveness
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Manitoba, Canada
Supports agri-processing sector modernization, growth, and sustainability in Manitoba
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Building Sector Capacity, Growth and Competitiveness program provides up to $2.5 million in government funding to support the modernization and expansion of Manitoba's agri-processing sector. Eligible activities include capital investments for new technologies, quality control measures, operational integration, and co-packing services.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Optimize production processes
- Obtain certifications
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 11, 2025
- Closing date : October 9, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Location
- Manitoba
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Activities funded
- Modernization and expansion of agri-processing facilities to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Implementation of new technologies for the processing and transformation of agricultural products.
- Integration of advanced quality control measures to access new markets.
- Enhancement of company operations through process integration and improved management systems.
- Development of new revenue streams through co-packing and contract processing services.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,450,000
Commission gluten-free oat processing line and allergen control systems
$ 900,000
Integrate ERP software and automated packing in honey processing plant
$ 1,290,000
Install an automated bottling line for local berry juices
$ 650,000
Upgrade meat processing with advanced food safety traceability system
$ 1,150,000
Modernize vegetable processing with robotic produce sorting and packing
$ 2,000,000
Expand pulse processing facility with new pea flour milling equipment
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an agri-food processor, agri-product processor, or a primary producer engaged in transforming agricultural commodities into value-added goods.
- Indigenous groups (such as governments, communities, Tribal Councils, associations, and organizations) are eligible.
- The applicant's activities must contribute to transforming agri-products into ingredients or end products, including value-added activities for direct consumption or as ingredients for further processing, or for preparing market-ready agri-products.
- Applicants must provide a copy of their previous year’s balance sheet and income statement.
- Applicants can be located inside or outside Manitoba, but all project activities must occur in Manitoba or result in a positive outcome for the province.
Who is eligible?
- Agri-food processors
- Agri-product processors
- Primary producers engaged in the transformation of agricultural commodities into value-added goods
- Indigenous groups (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), including governments, communities, Tribal Councils, associations, and organizations
Who is not eligible
- Current or former Government of Canada employees.
- Current Manitoba government employees who are majority shareholders (50% or more) in a business or operation.
- Current or former members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, current or former members of the Executive Council, or current or former Manitoba government senior public servants.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of equipment supporting transformation, preparation, production, or packaging of food, beverage, or agri-products.
- Necessary software purchases, including process integration, quality control, ERP systems (including related hardware and subscription fees for up to three years).
- Professional services for equipment/software commissioning, calibration, training (related to funded equipment/software), project design, engineering, feasibility or environmental consultations, and development of quality control procedures.
- Materials and supplies essential for installing eligible equipment or software, and those required for delivering permitted training events.
- Subcontracted services for installation of eligible equipment and software.
- Overhead expenses required for project completion (e.g., internal materials, use of internal equipment, utilities), capped at 10% of total approved eligible expenses.
- Ancillary components and installation of eligible equipment, such as transport, installation (plumbing, electrical), stands, and related training.
- Facility adaptations directly associated with installation of eligible equipment.
- Process-related materials handling systems (conveyors, process pipes, pallet jacks) and process-related storage solutions (walk-in storage, temperature/humidity control).
- Process-related food safety equipment integrated into broader projects (traceability, detection systems, etc.).
- Rented equipment contributing directly to project completion.
Eligible geographic areas
- Applicants from any location, as long as the project activities occur in Manitoba or generate positive outcomes for the province.
Selection criteria
- Quality and clarity of the project description.
- Defined project deliverables and anticipated outcomes.
- Alignment with Manitoba government objectives, such as job creation, increased processing value or volume, greater use of Manitoba agri-inputs, displacement of imports, increased exports, or growth in production value/volume.
- Capital and financial capacity of the applicant to carry out the project.
- Strength and feasibility of the market plan.
- Clarity and completeness of the application submitted.
How to apply
1
Read guidelines and verify eligibility
- Review all program guidelines and eligibility requirements in detail before starting your application
- Ensure the activities of your project are aligned with program objectives and eligible expenses
2
Prepare supporting documentation
- Gather required documents including previous year's balance sheet and income statement
- Prepare information on your business activities, project scope, and anticipated outcomes
3
Download and open application forms
- Download the Applicant Information Form, Application Worksheet, and Budget Worksheet from the program website
- Right-click and save each file to your computer, ensuring you use the latest version of Adobe to open them
4
Fill out the application forms
- Complete the Applicant Information Form, Application Worksheet, and Budget Worksheet with accurate and comprehensive details
- Ensure a legally authorized representative completes and signs the application documents
5
Assemble and verify application package
- Attach all supporting documentation required by the program (financial statements, project documents, etc.)
- Double-check that all documents are correctly completed and signed
- Ensure your application is complete and meets all program requirements
6
Submit application before deadline
- Submit the complete application with all supporting documents by email to agriculture@gov.mb.ca
- Ensure submission is made by the stated deadline (October 9, 2025, 11:59 PM)
7
Await funding decision
- Wait for a funding decision from the program administrator
- Be prepared to provide any additional information or clarification if requested
Additional information
- Applicants must provide a copy of their previous year's balance sheet and income statement when applying.
- Ownership of all intellectual property created under the program remains with the applicant.
- Applicants must declare all funding sources received for the project on their application.
- Applicants are responsible for maintaining accounting and supporting records related to the project for at least six years after project completion.
Contacts
agriculture@gov.mb.ca
1-800-811-4411
