Economic Development Fund — Tier 1
YT, Canada
Funding for small business projects in Yukon
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
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grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Department of Economic Development (YK)
- Government of Yukon
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grant_card_status|open
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Get up to $30,000 to cover up to 75% of eligible project costs and 50% of capital expenses for a development project that provides long-term, sustainable economic benefits to Yukoners and Yukon communities.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies and entities located within the Yukon region. The eligibility criteria ensure that the projects contribute directly to the economic development of Yukon communities.
- Yukon business with a physical address in the territory.
- Yukon First Nation governments and development entities.
- Yukon municipal governments.
- Community societies or industry associations based in one or more Yukon communities.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$12,750
Create promotional materials for expanding market reach of a Yukoner artisan collective
$15,000
Leasehold improvements for a new non-profit art gallery
$7,500
Organize an investment event for local startups
$17,250
Develop a training plan for employees of a financial cooperative
$9,000
Participate in an international trade show to promote Yukon tourism
$18,750
Develop a comprehensive business plan for a new cooperative grocery store
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Yukon businesses must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the Economic Development Fund.
- Have an office with a physical address in Yukon.
- Be subject to the Yukon Income Tax Act.
- Be registered under the Business Corporations Act and the Partnership and Business Name Act, where applicable.
- Have a valid municipal business license, where applicable.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This Economic Development Fund targets a range of applicants from Yukon businesses to governmental and non-profit organizations within the region, all aiming to achieve economic growth and diversification.
- A Yukon business that meets 3 of the following conditions:
- has an office with a physical address in Yukon;
- is subject to the Yukon Income Tax Act;
- is registered under the Business Corporations Act and the Partnership and Business Name Act, where applicable; or
- has a valid municipal business license, where applicable.
- Yukon First Nation governments;
- Yukon First Nation development entities, which include corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, or trusts;
- Yukon municipal governments;
- Community societies or industry associations that:
- are registered under the Yukon Societies Act and are in good standing;
- are based in one or more Yukon communities;
- are open to public membership;
- can demonstrate a clear interest in improving Yukon’s economic development;
- Not-for-profit corporations incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant, including:
- Companies that do not meet the specified eligibility criteria outlined in the Yukon Economic Development Fund guidelines.
- Businesses that do not have a physical presence, are not registered under relevant acts, or lack a valid municipal business license in Yukon.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Economic Development Fund aims to bolster economic activities that provide lasting benefits to the Yukon community. Eligible projects encompass a wide range of business enhancements, market expansions, and capacity development endeavors.
- Creation of business plans to guide growth and innovation.
- Conducting market research to identify new opportunities and trends.
- Crafting and implementing marketing plans for expanded reach.
- Organization and promotion of events targeting marketing and investment.
- Building organizational capacity for improved business operations.
- Participating in trade and investment events to enhance market presence.
- Conducting post-project analysis and support for continued development.
- Facilitating professional development workshops on various business topics.
- Producing promotional materials for new and existing markets.
- Formulating and enacting training plans to upskill the workforce.
- Procurement of capital assets crucial for project implementation.
- Covering capital costs directly linked to project goals.
- Supporting project implementation to ensure successful outcomes.
- Improvements in leaseholds to enhance operational facilities.
- Travel expenses for project-related purposes, limited to economy fares and standard accommodation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The fund supports a variety of expenses to enhance economic development initiatives for businesses and communities in Yukon.
- Business plans development.
- Market research activities.
- Creation and execution of marketing plans.
- Organization and promotion of marketing and investment events.
- Organizational capacity development efforts.
- Participation in trade and investment events.
- Post-project analysis and support activities.
- Participation in professional development workshops on business topics.
- Production of promotional materials for new markets and market expansion.
- Training plan development and implementation.
- Acquisition of capital assets related to the project’s objectives.
- Coverage of capital costs directly linked to project activities.
- Implementation support for project executions.
- Leasehold improvements necessary for project accommodation.
- Travel costs limited to the lowest economy airfare and standard accommodation rates.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The project criteria serve as the evaluation and selection guidelines.
- An enhanced environment for joint ventures and other investment opportunities
- Sector attracting increased investment
- Improved organizational and enterprise capacity
- Use and creation of innovative business methods, tools, approaches, and opportunities
- Successful joint ventures with beneficial community economic impacts
- Increase in private sector employment
- Diversification of the economy between and within sectors
- Increase in the number of new or expanded business enterprises
- Coordinated regional economic development planning projects
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Contact an Economic Development Fund program advisor to confirm project eligibility.
- Gather required documentation to demonstrate eligibility.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Complete the application form with detailed project description including objectives and expected outcomes.
- Include information on how the project aligns with the fund's goals and criteria.
- Prepare supplemental documents, like project plans, budgets, and any required letters of support.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents before the deadline.
- Options for submission:
- In person at 303 Alexander Street, 2nd floor, Whitehorse; open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Send via email to edf@yukon.ca.
- Fax it to 867-393-7018.
- Mail to Government of Yukon, Economic Development Fund (F-1), Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Economic Development Fund supports projects aimed at contributing positively to Yukon's climate change mitigation strategy, "Our Clean Future."
- Tier 1 applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing for flexibility in project initiation and planning.
- The grant provides a comprehensive list of both eligible and ineligible expenses to guide applicants in budget planning.
- The fund prioritizes long-term outcomes, such as improving the overall health and wellbeing of Yukoners and increasing skills in Yukon’s workforce.
grant_single_labels|contact
edf@yukon.ca
867-456-3803
Apply to this program
Boosting Economic Growth in Yukon Communities
The Economic Development Fund offers substantial financial support to projects that promise sustainable, long-term economic benefits for Yukoners and their communities. It is aimed at encouraging business innovation, economic diversification, and competitiveness across the region.
Detailed Insight into the Economic Development Fund's Vision and Opportunities
The Economic Development Fund (EDF) is structured to fortify the economic landscape of Yukon by driving projects that prioritize innovation and sustainable planning. By superseding earlier funding mechanisms such as the Regional Economic Development Fund and the Strategic Industries Development Fund, the EDF consolidates and targets its efforts to deliver meaningful economic outcomes that are both immediate and enduring.
The fund welcomes applications from a diverse array of entities ranging from Yukon-based businesses, First Nation development entities, municipal governments, to community societies and not-for-profit organizations. Each applicant must fulfill several rigorous criteria, ensuring funds are directed towards initiatives that are well-grounded and promising.
One of the central focuses of the EDF is to stimulate business creativity and long-term sustainability. It emphasizes equipping businesses with the tools and resources necessary to innovate, explore new markets, and diversify their operations. Whether through detailed market research, strategic business planning, or the deployment of enhanced marketing strategies, the fund seeks to catalyze an era of increased competitiveness and robust economic health.
From a financial perspective, the EDF offers substantial funding percentages of project costs, covering up to 75% of eligible project expenses and 50% of capital expenses. This significant financial support is divided into three tiers, providing up to $500,000 for more extensive undertakings. Projects are anticipated to generate both immediate impacts such as improved organizational capacity and community economic benefits, as well as fostering longer-term outcomes like employment growth and increased economic diversification within Yukon communities.
The EDF plays a strategic role in empowering joint ventures and fostering partnerships that are essential for economic expansion. By nurturing innovative business methods and encouraging sector-wide collaborations, the fund helps uncover and realize new investment opportunities that have far-reaching positive effects.
Additionally, the EDF aligns itself with Yukon's overarching economic strategy, including contributing towards "Our Clean Future," which emphasizes climate change mitigation alongside economic growth. This ensures that fund-supported projects are not only economically viable but also environmentally responsible, aligning business objectives with broader community goals of sustainable development.
In pursuit of these goals, eligible activities supported by the EDF include, but are not limited to, market and feasibility studies, promotional efforts aimed at new markets, capacity building initiatives, and capital improvements critical for enhancing business infrastructure. However, applicants must be wary of ineligible expenses to ensure full compliance with the fund’s guidelines.
For those interested in applying for this transformative fund, it is crucial to reach out to program advisors for guidance on project eligibility and to meticulously complete the required documentation within the specified deadlines to fully leverage the opportunities provided by the EDF. The engagement and outcomes of this fund are continually assessed and documented in annual reports, offering transparency and insights into its extensive impact across Yukon.
The EDF represents a unique chance for businesses and communities in Yukon to not only enhance their current economic positions but also to lay a solid foundation for future prosperity and resilience in a rapidly evolving global market.