MRC Beauce-Sartigan — Beauce-Sartigan Agricultural Microcredit Fund
QC, Canada
Supports early-stage Beauce-Sartigan agricultural businesses with microcredit
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- MRC Beauce-Sartigan
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Fonds Microcrédit agricole Beauce-Sartigan provides interest-free loans up to $10,000 to support the start-up, diversification, transformation, or development of small agricultural enterprises in the Beauce-Sartigan region. Eligible activities include equipment purchases, consultancy fees, and expenses related to planting, preparation, transformation, distribution, and marketing.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Fonds Microcrédit agricole Beauce-Sartigan supports agricultural initiatives aimed at startup expansion and diversification within the region. Eligible projects encompass various activities essential for agricultural growth and transformation.
- Startup of new agricultural ventures.
- Diversification of existing agricultural activities.
- Transformation processes within agricultural enterprises.
- Development projects aimed at expanding agricultural operations.
- Purchase of equipment or livestock necessary for agricultural productivity.
- Consulting services fees related to agricultural projects.
- Costs associated with planting or land preparation.
- Expenses related to processing, distribution or marketing of agricultural products.
- Any ancillary activity deemed acceptable by the Fund’s Investment Committee.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the location, type of business, and financial status.
- The enterprise must primarily engage in agricultural activities, specifically "agricultural production/cultivation" or "production & processing," with the exception of those subject to supply management rules.
- The enterprise's headquarters must be located within the MRC de Beauce-Sartigan, and the activities involved in the funding request must be conducted in this area.
- The enterprise must be less than 10 years old with an annual turnover not exceeding $250,000.
- The enterprise's activities must comply with prevailing laws, standards, and regulations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Any business primarily engaged in agriculture-related activities, which focus on "agricultural production/cultivation" or "production & transformation," is eligible to apply for the Fonds Microcrédit agricole Beauce-Sartigan. However, businesses subject to supply management regulations and part of collective marketing are ineligible. The eligible business must have its head office within the MRC of Beauce-Sartigan and the financed activities must also be carried out in this territory. Furthermore, the business must be less than 10 years old with an annual revenue not exceeding $250,000 and must comply with all applicable laws, standards, and regulations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant has specific restrictions designed to ensure the funds target eligible agricultural businesses within the designated area. Companies must meet certain criteria to access this funding.
- Companies involved in any form of production subject to supply management rules and part of a collective marketing system.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses essential for starting, diversifying, transforming, or developing agricultural projects.
- Purchase of equipment or animals.
- Consulting service fees.
- Costs related to planting or preparing land.
- Expenses associated with transformation, distribution, or marketing.
- Other related activities deemed acceptable by the Investment Committee.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available only to companies located in specific geographical areas as determined by their physical residency rules. This eligibility criterion ensures that the funding benefits the intended regional economic environment.
- Companies whose headquarters are located within the MRC of Beauce-Sartigan.
- Businesses conducting their project activities within the territory of the MRC de Beauce-Sartigan.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your business meets all eligibility criteria, including the type of agriculture activities, location within Beauce-Sartigan, age of the business, and revenue limits.
- Check that your project aligns with the eligible project categories such as startup, diversification, transformation, or development.
- Step 2: Prepare Financial Contribution
- Arrange for the minimum 20% personal financial contribution required for the project.
- Step 3: Gather Necessary Documentation
- Collect all necessary documentation including business registration details, proof of location, and financial statements.
- Prepare a detailed project plan highlighting the purpose, goals, and financial aspects of the project.
- Step 4: Contact the Fund Provider
- Reach out to the fund provider or the responsible committee for guidance on the application process and to obtain application forms.
- Step 5: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form with accurate and comprehensive information about your business and project.
- Step 6: Submit the Application
- Submit the completed application form along with all required documents to the fund provider by the deadline specified.
- Step 7: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive confirmation of receipt from the fund provider.
- Keep this confirmation for your records.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The loan is interest-free, which can significantly reduce the cost of financing for small agricultural businesses.
- The maximum loan amount of $10,000 means that projects should be planned to align with this cap.
- The potential for a repayment moratorium of up to 36 months allows for flexible cash flow management, particularly beneficial for new or expanding businesses.
- Borrowers must maintain a significant ownership stake in the business to continue qualifying for the loan, ensuring commitment to the business venture.
Apply to this program
An Opportunity to Advance Agricultural Enterprises
The Fonds Microcrédit Agricole Beauce-Sartigan offers financial support to new and developing agricultural businesses in the Beauce-Sartigan area. The fund is specifically targeting micro-enterprises looking to promote agricultural growth and diversification through technical and financial assistance.
Detailed Insights into the Fonds Microcrédit Agricole Beauce-Sartigan
The Fonds Microcrédit Agricole Beauce-Sartigan is a pivotal financial initiative aimed at empowering agricultural enterprises within the Beauce-Sartigan region. Established through the collaborative efforts of key local economic players such as the Conseil économique de Beauce (CEB), Desjardins Entreprises Beauce-Appalaches-Etchemins, the MRC de Beauce-Sartigan, and the Syndicat de l’UPA de Beauce-Sartigan, this fund focuses on nurturing the inception, growth, and diversification of agricultural businesses. The initiative was also boosted financially at its inception by the support of Samuel Poulin, the Deputy of Beauce-Sud.
The fund is structured to address the financial challenges faced by agricultural enterprises that are less than ten years old and have an annual revenue under $250,000. A primary target of this fund is to support projects that involve starting new agricultural ventures, diversifying existing operations, transforming agricultural produce, or further developing current business models. This initiative deliberately excludes collective marketing structures regulated by supply management, ensuring an exclusive focus on individual enterprise growth and sustainability.
Applicants eligible for this support must operate within the geographical confines of the MRC de Beauce-Sartigan and should be involved in activities that pertain directly to agriculture, spanning production, cultivation, and value-adding processes like transformation. The fund specifies several eligible expenses, including the purchase of equipment or animals, consultancy fees, and costs related to land preparation and transformation processes.
A critical component of this funding scheme is its supportive financial structure: up to 80% of project costs can be financed interest-free through the fund, with maximum funding capping out at $10,000 per project. Financing is designed with a flexible repayment strategy, allowing for amortization over a period of seven years. Furthermore, under certain circumstances determined by a thorough committee analysis, applicants can benefit from a capital repayment moratorium of up to 36 months within the loan's active term. This makes the fund not only a source of financial support but also a cushion that provides breathing room for enterprises to stabilize and thrive.
The fund's governance ensures careful adherence to local regulations and scrutiny over proposed projects, further committing to sustainability and regional economic growth. It aims to diversify the local agricultural economy, supporting entities that demonstrate a capacity for growth while adhering to a defined standard of environmental and economic responsibility.
As part of their agreement to access the fund, enterprises must also maintain a financial relationship with participating caisse populaire network members, reinforcing community-centric financial practices. This condition ensures that the fund’s benefits are not only financial but also relational, fostering a supportive network of growth-focused agricultural enterprises in the region.
Ultimately, the Fonds Microcrédit Agricole Beauce-Sartigan represents a powerful opportunity for emerging agricultural enterprises to gain crucial financial and technical support, enabling them to innovate, diversify, and strengthen their foothold in the market. With this backing, young businesses can lay a significant foundation for future success, contributing to the region's agricultural dynamism and economic resilience.
