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MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) - QC - Canada

MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS)

Last Update: June 12, 2025
QC, Canada
Business financing for development and job creation in Avignon

MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $150,000
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail trade
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
Grant Providers
  • MRC Avignon
Status
Open

Overview of the MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) program

The MRC d'Avignon Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) offer financial support up to $150,000 (FLI) or $100,000 (FLS) to businesses and social enterprises for projects such as business start-up, growth, transformation, succession, or acquisition. The program aims to stimulate economic development and job creation in the MRC d'Avignon by funding eligible activities including commercialization, productivity improvements, and business expansion.

Financing terms and conditions

  • The maximum investment from the Local Solidarity Fund (FLS) per enterprise or group is $100,000.
  • The Local Investment Fund (FLI) can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses for private businesses, and up to 80% for social economy enterprises.
  • The maximum investment from the FLI per beneficiary is $150,000 within any twelve-month period, and the total outstanding FLI support per business cannot exceed $300,000 at any time.
  • Government financial assistance, including the FLI, must not exceed 50% of total project costs (80% for social economy enterprises), based on a specific calculation for repayable and non-repayable aid.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Business start-up and commercialization projects.
  • Business succession and ownership transfer initiatives.
  • Acquisition of existing businesses or business assets.
  • Projects focused on improving productivity, digital transformation, or implementing sustainable organizational practices.
  • Business growth and expansion, including launching new products, entering new markets, or supporting export projects.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) program

  • The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit business under Quebec or Canadian law, or a collective enterprise such as a cooperative or non-profit organization (NPO) with commercial activities, located within the MRC d'Avignon and with its head office in Quebec.
  • The business must be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register (REQ).
  • The company must demonstrate economic viability and a reasonable prospect of profitability and repayment capacity.
  • The management team or promoters must have relevant knowledge and experience in the field as well as management skills.
  • The project must contribute to local economic development, such as through business start-up, growth, acquisition, productivity improvement, or business succession, and must be at the commercialization phase or beyond (pre-commercialization projects are excluded).

Who is eligible?

  • Legally incorporated for-profit businesses in Quebec or Canada
  • Collective enterprises such as cooperatives and non-profit organizations (OBNLs) with commercial activities operating as social economy enterprises
  • Companies with operations within the territory of the MRC d'Avignon and head office in Quebec

Who is not eligible

  • Companies listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA), including their subcontractors.
  • Government-controlled corporations, state-owned enterprises, or companies majority-owned by a public body.
  • Businesses under bankruptcy protection or subject to insolvency legislation.
  • Companies involved in the production or distribution of armaments, gambling, violent games or combat sports, sexual exploitation industries, or real estate development (except specific projects benefiting tenants or residents).
  • Businesses whose activities are primarily related to fossil fuels (e.g., oil, thermal coal), tobacco, or recreational and non-approved cannabis products.

Eligible expenses

  • Additional working capital directly required for the realization of the business project, limited to a maximum period of two years (the project year and the following year), based on justified and reasonable expenses.
  • Capital expenditures strictly and directly linked to the realization of the business project, such as acquisition of technology, land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock, as well as construction, expansion, renovation, and fit-out of land or premises.
  • Professional fees incurred prior to the realization of the business project, such as feasibility analysis, external audit, or impact studies.
  • Professional fees strictly and directly tied to the implementation of the business project, including the installation of technology, equipment, or machinery, and acquisition, construction, renovation, and development of land and premises.
  • For business succession projects: acquisition costs of ownership titles (voting shares or partnership units) and assets of the targeted company, as well as professional fees directly related to the transaction and business succession process.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Businesses operating within the territory of the MRC d'Avignon.
  • Companies with their head office located in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) program

  • Economic viability and sustainability of the financed business, including profitability and repayment capacity.
  • Relevant knowledge and experience of the promoters (management skills and sector-specific expertise).
  • Contribution to positive environmental and societal impacts and sustainable business practices.
  • Openness and quality of labor relations with employees.
  • Participation of other financial partners and promoters' financial contribution to the project.

How to apply to the MRC d'Avignon — Local Investment Funds (FLI) and Local Solidarity Funds (FLS) program

1
Verify eligibility requirements
  • Check that your business is legally established and has its head office in Quebec
  • Confirm registration in the Quebec Business Register (REQ)
  • Ensure your project fits within the eligible sectors and is located in the MRC d'Avignon
2
Prepare required documents
  • Gather the completed financial assistance application form, dated and signed
  • Prepare a detailed business plan and/or project description
  • Compile a detailed breakdown of project expenses
  • Assemble financial statements for the past three years and interim statements if needed
  • Include forecasted financial statements and confirmation of other financial contributions
3
Submit application to MRC
  • Submit your application and all supporting documents to the MRC d'Avignon
  • Ensure your submission is complete for continuous processing
4
Await decision by MRC
  • Wait while your application is reviewed by the MRC
  • Respond to possible additional requests for information from the MRC

Additional information

  • The investment policy is subject to updates by the MRC and any changes must be communicated to relevant oversight bodies.
  • The MRC may require personal guarantees or security interests for certain projects.
  • No application or annual follow-up fees are charged to applicants or recipients.
  • The common investment committee (CIC) may request exceptions to the investment framework, but never for enterprises with negative net assets after project completion.

Contact MRC Avignon

info@mrcavignon.com
4183642000

Apply to this program