MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Rio Tinto Alcan Diversification Fund

• Business plan summary, including three-year financial forecasts
• Project description
• Contractor quote
• Professional service offer
• Signed lease agreement

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted for-profit businesses incorporated under the laws of Quebec or Canada.
• Collective enterprises such as cooperatives and NPOs with commercial activities representing at least 60% of revenue.

Who is not eligible

• Applicants that failed to fulfill obligations after formal notice from the Ministry or the MRC during the two years before the request.
• Applicants under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Applicants whose behavior could tarnish the image of integrity and probity of the MRC.
• Transactions between related businesses or partners.

Eligible expenses

• Acquisition of assets and capital expenditures directly related to the realization of the business project (such as purchase of technology, land, building, equipment, machinery, and vehicles, as well as construction, expansion, renovation, or improvements to premises and land).
• Marketing expenses linked to the business project.
• Working capital for the first year of establishment (for new businesses).
• Commercial rent (25% of annual commercial rent before taxes, up to set limits and for a maximum of 3 years; must be with an unrelated landlord).
• Professional fees directly tied to the realization of the project (up to specified limits and with required documentation).
• Acquisition of company shares (as part of an eligible business transfer).
• Acquisition of goodwill (business assets) for business transfers.
• Coaching and training services related to best practices for workforce integration, up to 75% of eligible costs before taxes (as per established limits and with supporting offer of service).
• Renovations and improvements to enhance universal accessibility (such as installing ramps) and to adapt or improve the workplace to meet the specific needs of employees (e.g., ergonomic workstations, enhancing spaces like kitchens or restrooms, creating rest areas, or equipment for sensory sensitivities).

Eligible geographic areas

• Beauharnois

• The project must demonstrate long-term profitability, repayment capacity, and strong financial prospects.
• Promoters must show relevant knowledge and experience in their field.
• Openness toward workers is considered in the assessment.

• Step 1: Initial Contact and Information Gathering
  • Contact the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry (info@mrcbhs.ca or 450 225‑0870) or visit mrcbhs.ca to obtain detailed information about the Rio Tinto Alcan Diversification Fund and initiate the process.
• Step 2: Project Preparation
  • Prepare a summary business plan describing your project, including a clear definition of objectives and financial forecasts for three years (for Volets 1 and 2), or a project description, quote from contractors, and three-year financial forecasts (for Volet 3).
  • Ensure all required offers of service from professionals (if applicable) and signed lease agreements (if applying for the rental subsidy) are included.
• Step 3: Application Submission
  • Submit your complete application to the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry, ensuring all supporting documents are provided as per the fund's requirements.
• Step 4: Preliminary Evaluation
  • The fund manager at the MRC conducts an initial assessment of project eligibility and completeness.
• Step 5: Project Committee Review
  • If deemed eligible, the application is presented to the selection committee (including MRC and City of Beauharnois representatives, and an environmental or sustainable development expert).
  • This committee assesses the merits and alignment of the project with fund objectives.
• Step 6: Investment Committee Decision
  • Eligible and viable projects are submitted to the Accès Entreprise Beauharnois-Salaberry joint investment committee (CIC) for a funding recommendation (approval or rejection).
• Step 7: Agreement and Disbursement
  • If approved, sign the required agreements and provide authorizations detailed in the funding contract with the MRC.
  • The financing and/or grants are disbursed according to project milestones and compliance with fund requirements.
• Step 8: Ongoing Monitoring
  • Participate in periodic follow-ups by submitting annual externally prepared financial statements and accommodating occasional site visits from the MRC for monitoring purposes.

• The MRC performs an initial assessment of the project.
• If the project is eligible, it is reviewed by a selection committee.
• Eligible and viable projects are then presented to the Comité d’investissement commun (CIC) of Accès Entreprise Beauharnois-Salaberry for a recommendation.
• After approval, the MRC may request authorizations in the financing contract.
• The MRC conducts periodic follow-up and may request annual financial statements from an external accountant and occasional site visits.

• The management and administration of the Fund are overseen by a Joint Investment Committee, with defined governance and conflict of interest protocols.
• Subsidized rent support requires that the landlord is not related, associated, or affiliated with the aided business.
• Grant recipients must authorize the MRC to publicly disclose that funding was awarded to their enterprise.
• Recipients are required to submit annual financial statements prepared by an external accountant and may undergo periodic site visits.