How much funding can be received?

The Economic Development Program for Territorial Revitalization (DÉPART) aims to help SMEs diversify and strengthen their economic activities to improve the economic vitality index of their region compared to others. The program, managed by Investissement Québec on behalf of the Quebec government, focuses on facilitating access to financing, promoting local entrepreneurship, and supporting sustainable development. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, investment projects, innovation development, and post-takeover investments in specific sectors identified by the program.

grant_single_labels|projects

Projects eligible for this grant include:

Feasibility studies for the analysis of business implementation, modernization or expansion projects
Investment projects such as new business creation, expansion, technology transition, etc.
Development or demonstration of innovative products and processes

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$120,000

Ottawa

Expansion of a local organic food market

$150,000

Winnipeg

Modernization of a textile manufacturing facility

$150,000

Vancouver

Post-takeover investment in a renewable energy startup

$150,000

Toronto

Development and demonstration of a new AI-based medical diagnostic tool

$100,000

Halifax

Innovation development for new modular housing solutions

$80,000

Montreal

A feasibility study for a new eco-friendly manufacturing plant

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for this grant are as follows:

Projects contributing to the achievement of the Program's objectives
Projects corresponding to the economic priorities of the targeted MRC and confirmed by them, with an opinion from the MRC to Investissement Québec
Projects enabling the emergence, growth and expansion of local entrepreneurship
Quality of project governance: level of expertise of managers and capacity of the company to carry out the project
Quality of the project: consistency with the business model, quality of the business plan, realism of the financing structure, financial support from partners
Support from the local and regional community, absence of opposition to the project, government authorizations required
Potential impacts of the project on profitability, productivity, competitiveness of the company, the sector of activity, the local and regional economy, the quality of jobs

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Companies eligible for this grant are small and medium-sized for-profit businesses with 250 employees or less, legally incorporated under the laws of the government of Quebec or Canada, with active operations in Quebec, and also include cooperative and not-for-profit organizations. The businesses must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment, and actively engage in business activities in the province.

For-profit businesses with 250 employees or less
Cooperatives and not-for-profit organizations

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Based on the grant context, here are the types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:

Arts, entertainment, and leisure
Construction (excluding projects related to the Construction Sector Action Plan and productivity growth)
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
Transportation and warehousing
Professional and financial services (finance and insurance)
Repair and maintenance, personal services, and laundry services
Management of companies and enterprises
Food services
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (excluding projects in the second or third transformation)
Mining and quarrying, oil and gas extraction
Telecommunications services
Broadcasting
Administrative services and support services
Real estate and leasing services
Utilities, including healthcare, social assistance, and education
Education and training services
Public administration

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include:

Feasibility studies
Professional fees in accordance with government standards
Travel and living expenses related to the project
Hiring a qualified professional for the deployment of the project
Capital expenditures as part of an investment project
The acquisition, construction, development or expansion of buildings
The acquisition and installation of equipment or software necessary for the project
Acquiring new technology
Expenditures linked to a tourism investment project
Expenses linked to a post-takeover investment project
The development or demonstration of innovative products and processes

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are:

The MRCs located in the last quintile of the economic vitality index produced by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) every two years.
The MRCs of the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine administrative region, including the maritime community of Îles-de-la-Madeleine that had access to the Fonds d'aide aux initiatives régionales (FAIR) until March 31, 2023.
The Appalaches MRC that benefited from an Economic Diversification Program since 2018, ending on March 31, 2023.
The Granit MRC, including the city of Lac-Mégantic, which benefited from the Lac-Mégantic Economic Aid Fund since 2013, ending on March 31, 2023.
Indigenous communities within the eligible MRC areas from recognized Nations by the Quebec National Assembly.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

Relevance of the project to the program's objectives, economic priorities of the targeted MRC, and local entrepreneurship growth.
Quality of project governance, including expertise of key personnel and the company's capacity to execute the project.
Project quality, coherence with the company's business model, business plan quality, realistic financing structure, support from partners, and potential project impacts.
Local support, absence of opposition to the project, and necessary government approvals.
Potential project impacts on company profitability, productivity, competitiveness, local and regional economy, and job quality.

grant_single_labels|register

Be sure to read the Application Guide thoroughly.
Write your business plan (refer to information above).
Complete and sign the START - Application for Financial Assistance form.
Find out how to prepare to apply for the START program.
Before submitting your application, be sure to check the checklist.
Send the application to Investissement Québec electronically at the following address, along with all the mandatory documents listed in section 6: aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
Applications will be analyzed according to the documentation provided at the time of submission.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The main objective of the DÉPART Program is to improve the economic vitality index of the targeted MRCs by promoting the diversification and strengthening of the economic activities of SMEs.
The program ends on March 31, 2026 and is administered by Investissement Québec. For any questions related to this program, you can contact an expert at 1 844 474-6367.

grant_single_labels|contact

aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com

1 844 474-6367

Apply to this program

Summary of the DÉPART Program

The DÉPART program aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by enhancing economic vitality in designated regions of Quebec. The program runs until March 31, 2026, and is managed by Investissement Québec.

Comprehensive Guide to the DÉPART Program

The DÉPART program, administered by Investissement Québec on behalf of the Quebec government, is designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in revitalizing and diversifying their economic activities. By doing so, the program seeks to elevate the economic vitality index of various Municipal Regional Counties (MRCs), aligning them with or surpassing the provincial average. This initiative not only promotes local entrepreneurship but also ensures sustainable economic development. Below is a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of the DÉPART program.

Objectives

The primary objective of the DÉPART program is to facilitate accessibility to financial resources for SMEs operating within the targeted MRCs. Specifically, the program aims to:

Enable the diversification and reinforcement of economic activities among SMEs.
Increase the emergence, growth, and expansion of local entrepreneurship within these designated territories.
Enhance the overall economic vitality of participating MRCs, ensuring these areas are on par with the provincial economic standards.

The program places a strong emphasis on sustainable development to ensure long-term economic health in these regions.

Selection Criteria

Every application for financial aid through the DÉPART program undergoes rigorous review based on several key criteria:

Pertinence of the Project: Alignment with program objectives, relevance to the economic priorities of the targeted MRC, and contributions to local entrepreneurial growth.
Quality of Governance: Expertise and competency of company leadership, as well as the firm's capacity to execute the project using sufficient financial, human, and technical resources.
Project Quality: The plan’s coherence with the company’s business model, robustness of the business plan, and realistic financial and timeline projections.
Local Support: Endorsement from local and regional communities, absence of opposition, and attainment of necessary governmental permissions.
Potential Impact: Projected improvements in company profitability, productivity, and competitiveness, as well as positive impacts on the local economy and job quality.

Targeted Territories and Eligible Sectors

The program specifically targets MRCs that fall within the bottom quintile of the economic vitality index, as determined biennially by the Quebec Institute of Statistics (ISQ). Additionally, special consideration is given to:

MRCs in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine administrative region.
The MRC of Appalaches and the MRC of Granit, which includes Lac-Mégantic.
Indigenous communities within the eligible MRC territories, representing recognized Nations by Quebec's National Assembly.

Eligible sectors for the DÉPART program include:

Primary sectors for second and third transformational projects.
Manufacturing and industrial production.
High-value tertiary sectors like IT, environmental services, and industrial design.
Tourism, including projects that offer cultural, scientific, recreational, and outdoor attractions.
Tourist accommodation projects, excluding residences, bed and breakfasts, and campsites.

Sectors that are not eligible include arts and leisure, retail and wholesale trade, transportation, finance, and certain public services, among others.

Eligible Projects

The program supports a variety of projects such as:

Feasibility Studies: Analyzing technical or economic parameters for new implementations or technological innovations.
Investment Projects: Creating new enterprises, expanding or modernizing existing ones, or implementing new business practices.
Tourism Projects: Developing cultural, scientific, recreational, and outdoor attractions, and new construction for tourism accommodations.
Post-Retirement Investments: Projects assisting new owners post-acquisition.
Innovation Projects: Innovation in product development or new processes aimed at improving productivity or entering new markets.

Non-Eligible Projects

Projects that won't qualify for the program include:

Routine renovation of tourism facilities.
Construction of small tourist accommodations (less than four units unless part of a larger development).
Financially troubled companies seeking consolidation.
Relocation of businesses without new investments or activities.
Municipal infrastructure projects.
Recurring events such as festivals or conferences.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses under the DÉPART program include:

Feasibility Studies: Professional fees, travel expenses, and hiring qualified experts in various fields for project deployment.
Investment Projects: Costs related to acquiring or upgrading buildings, new technology, equipment, professional fees, and expert hiring.
Investment in Tourism: Similar to general investment projects but specifically geared towards tourism infrastructure.
Post-Retirement Investments: Professional fees, travel expenses, and hiring necessary professionals for post-acquisition projects.
Innovation Projects: Costs involved in R&D, obtaining certifications, real-world demonstrations to potential clients, and required documentation.

Expenses are only considered eligible if incurred or committed from the date of the financial aid request submission.

Financial Assistance Characteristics

Financial assistance is provided in the form of non-repayable contributions. It's crucial to note that only one form of aid from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE) can be applied to a single project. However, this aid can be combined with other governmental financial aids.

Required Documentation

To apply for the DÉPART program, companies must submit the following:

Completed application form.
Detailed business plan including project description and financial breakdown.
Detailed description of the company covering history, products, market analysis, competition, ownership distribution, management profiles, and financial statements for the last two years.
Proof of language compliance (if applicable).
Declaration of compliance with equal employment opportunity (for companies with over 100 employees and requesting $100,000 or more).
General regulations (for social economy enterprises).
Any other documents pertinent to the project.

Application Process

To apply:

Read the Guide de présentation des demandes thoroughly.
Prepare a detailed business plan.
Complete and sign the DÉPART financial aid application form.
Ensure all required documents are ready.
Send the application and required documents electronically to: aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.

The submitted documents will undergo analysis based on the provided documentation.

Conclusion

The DÉPART program offers extensive support to SMEs aiming to strengthen their economic standing and foster regional development in Quebec's least economically vibrant areas. With a clear focus on sustainability and local entrepreneurship, it provides a crucial platform for economic enrichment and diversification, promising a brighter future for eligible regions.