MRC La Matapédia — FLI-FLS

Who is eligible?

This grant targets legally constituted for-profit enterprises and collective enterprises, including cooperatives and non-profit organizations operating within the MRC of La Matapédia in Quebec. Specific eligibility criteria apply based on the type of business and its activities.

• For-profit enterprises legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law, with their head office in Quebec and actively doing business in the MRC of La Matapédia.
• Collective enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) with commercial activities, particularly those defined as social economy enterprises under Quebec law.
• Non-profit organizations engaged in the social economy and adhering to specified conditions, including operating in the market economy, having completed their start-up phase, and demonstrating a majority of permanent (non-subsidized) jobs.
• Enterprises based outside the MRC are eligible if they generate economic impact and jobs within the MRC of La Matapédia.
• Exclusions apply to entities on the public contracts non-eligibility list, state-controlled enterprises, those in insolvency, and those with negative ethical or environmental records.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

• Companies listed in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
• Businesses with unfulfilled obligations from previous financial aid from the Ministry or regional county municipality within two years prior to the application.
• State-owned enterprises or those controlled by a government.
• Companies under creditor protection or bankruptcy proceedings.
• Organizations with ethical issues that might damage the integrity and probity of the government or municipality.
• Businesses exhibiting irresponsible environmental behavior.
• Companies with a history of violating labor standards or human rights legislation.
• Industries involved in the production or distribution of weapons.
• Businesses focused on fossil fuel exploration, extraction, or production, unless transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
• Entities engaged in gambling or betting activities.
• Operations in violent sports or activities involving combat with living creatures.
• Sectors related to sexual exploitation or production of pornography.
• Real estate management and development, outside of specific service-oriented projects for tenants or residents.
• Activities related to tobacco or drug consumption, except certain cannabis-related interventions.
• Local bars, video clubs, and arcades.
• Franchise operations like Tim Horton or McDonald’s.
• Flea markets.
• Domestic animal breeding.
• Financial services.
• Private daycares and family home care services.
• Travel agencies or websites.
• Home product distribution.
• Businesses offering tattooing and piercing services.

Eligible expenses

The grant supports eligible expenses directly tied to the realization and success of specific projects under the Fonds Local d’Investissement (FLI).

• Capital expenditures strictly and directly related to the project's realization such as acquisition of land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, and costs related to construction, expansion, renovation, and arrangement of land and premises.
• Incorporation fees and other similar expenses, excluding goodwill expenses.
• Acquisition of technologies, software, hardware, patents, and other similar spending, excluding research and development activities.
• Additional working capital requirements necessary for the project's realization for a maximum period of two years, limited to justified and reasonable expenses.
• Professional fees before the project's realization, meaning feasibility analysis, external audits, or impact studies.
• Professional fees strictly and directly associated with the project's realization such as technology implementation, and acquisition-related costs or consultations.
• For entrepreneurial succession projects, expenditures on acquiring ownership titles or assets and professional fees directly linked to the acquisition transaction and leadership transition.

Eligible geographic areas

The MRC La Matapédia — FLI-FLS grant is specifically targeted at companies operating in or impacting the economy of the MRC de La Matapédia region. The eligibility is designed to foster local economic development and job creation within this specific territory.

• Companies legally constituted and operating on the territory of the MRC de La Matapédia with a head office in Quebec.
• Enterprises whose head office is not situated within MRC de La Matapédia but whose economic impacts and job creations are within the region.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The Fonds Local d’Investissement (FLI) and Fonds local de solidarité (FLS) require that any investment must be under a single loan contract with a combined total amount and a weighted interest rate.
• Projects funded are subject to risk assessment, which determines the interest rate based on a fixed risk premium added to the base rate of Caisse centrale Desjardins, with a minimum of 4.00%.
• Interest rates can vary depending on the guarantee provided; for example, a secured loan by a first-rank mortgage can have a reduced interest rate.
• When combining funds from different sources, financial aid from governments of Quebec, Canada, and the MRC cannot exceed 50% of eligible expenses, except for social economy projects where it can reach up to 80%.
• If a project is considered financially risky for one of the funds, the participation of the other fund may be adjusted.
• The policy's entry into force and allowable modifications require mutual agreement and compliance with defined frameworks to ensure joint investment and profitability.
• Administrative fees of 1.50% of the original financing amount apply, with additional fees for reassessment or alteration of initial terms.