MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES)
Last Update: May 13, 2025
Joliette, QC
Financial support for strategic business development in Joliette
MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES) at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $50,000
- Up to 3% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Grant Providers
- MRC de Joliette (CDÉJ)
Status
Open
Overview of the MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES) program
The Fonds d’Aide à l’Implantation et au Démarrage d’Entreprises Structurantes provides a maximum funding of $50,000 per enterprise to encourage value-added business establishment in the MRC de Joliette, prioritizing economic wealth through job creation and capital investment. Eligible activities include operations in manufacturing, agri-food processing, communications, and electronic and computer engineering services.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant provides a structured financial aid mechanism aimed at supporting new businesses with their initial establishment in the MRC de Joliette area. The modalities focus on fostering employment creation and investment in local infrastructure.
- The maximum financial aid available per company is capped at $50,000.
- The aid amount is calculated as 3% of the total payroll, including salaries and benefits paid to employees and shareholders holding 10% or less of voting shares.
- The financial aid is dispensed in two installments: the first installment, constituting 50% of the determined amount, is provided upon signing binding agreements such as leases or property purchase contracts; the second installment is available after twelve months of operation, contingent on presenting payroll evidence.
- Eligible payroll evidence must include official documents submitted to Revenu Québec or the Canada Revenue Agency.
Eligible projects & activities
The FAIDES grant supports the establishment and start-up of structuring companies in specific sectors within the MRC de Joliette. Eligible activities are designed to encourage new business operations, innovation, and economic growth in these industries.
- Establishing new manufacturing facilities or production lines in the manufacturing industry.
- Launching new operations in the agri-food processing sector.
- Setting up communication centers or networks to enhance connectivity and information flow.
- Developing services related to electronic engineering, computer technology, or software programming.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 30,000
Launching an organic community garden for urban residents
$ 40,000
Implementing a renewable energy system for small businesses
$ 55,000
Developing a digital platform for local artisan products
$ 30,000
Organizing a regional arts festival featuring local artists
$ 60,000
Creating an educational app for remote learning in schools
$ 50,000
Establishing a mental health support network for youth
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES) program
To be eligible for the grant, businesses must meet specific operational and strategic criteria as outlined below.
- The business must operate within the following sectors: manufacturing industry, agri-food processing, communication centers and networks, or electronic engineering, information technology, and computer programming services.
- The business must have been operational for at least three years or be a subsidiary majorly owned by a parent company operational for the same duration.
- Startups must be either an independent entity or a subsidiary owned predominantly by a parent company with over three years of operations.
- The applicant should not have been operational within the MRC of Joliette in the past three years unless relocating an existing operation to the region, increasing local payroll, which is not applicable for startups.
- The business must create a minimum of 20 permanent jobs in the MRC of Joliette, excluding jobs held by shareholders owning more than 10% of voting shares.
- The business must have an annual payroll of at least CAD 600,000, with evidence provided six months post fiscal year-end.
- Investment in capital expenditures within the MRC of Joliette must be CAD 400,000 or more.
- The business must comply with all local municipal regulations.
Who is eligible?
Projects eligible for this grant must meet criteria related to innovation, value addition, and job creation.
- Complete project presentation file.
- Positive analysis of various eligibility elements determined by the policy.
- Healthy competition in the target sector of activity.
- Inclusion of innovation in the project.
- Inclusion of added value in the project.
- Viability of the project.
- Creation and consolidation of sustainable jobs.
- Other elements deemed relevant by the investment committee or the board of the CDÉJ, which can be added without prior notice.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions align with the objective to prioritize new and structurally important businesses in specific sectors.
- Companies that have been operating in the MRC de Joliette within the last three years unless relocating a branch operation.
- Businesses that do not create at least twenty permanent jobs in the MRC de Joliette.
- Enterprises with an annual payroll less than $600,000.
- Organizations that do not plan to make a capital investment of at least $400,000 in the MRC de Joliette.
- Companies outside the manufacturing, agro-food processing, communications, electronic engineering, computing, or software development sectors.
Eligible expenses
The grant covers expenses related to the establishment and operation of businesses in the MRC de Joliette.
- Investments in capital expenditures amounting to $400,000 or more associated with business implementation.
- Personnel salaries and benefits, provided the project creates a minimum of 20 permanent jobs.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically available to companies that intend to operate within the territory of the MRC de Joliette. The eligibility is geographically targeted to support regional economic development.
- Companies operating or planning to operate in the MRC de Joliette.
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES) program
The evaluation and selection of projects for the "Fonds d’Aide à l’Implantation et au Démarrage d’Entreprises Structurantes" grant are based on several criteria aimed at promoting effective economic development within the MRC de Joliette area.
- A complete presentation dossier, as indicated upon eligibility confirmation.
- Conclusive analysis of various eligibility elements as determined by the current policy.
- Encouraging healthy competition within the targeted sector of activity.
- Incorporation of innovation within the project.
- Inclusion of value-added components within the project.
- Assessment of the project's viability.
- Creation and consolidation of sustainable jobs.
- Additional criteria as deemed relevant by the committee or the board of directors of the CDÉJ.
How to apply to the MRC Joliette — Assistance fund for the establishment and start-up of structuring companies (FAIDES) program
1
Eligibility Check
- Make sure that your business operates in one of the eligible sectors (manufacturing, agri-food processing, communication, etc.).
- Verify that your business meets the eligibility criteria such as creating at least 20 permanent jobs in the territory of the MRC of Joliette and having a minimum annual payroll of $600,000.
2
Preparation of the file
- Prepare a complete presentation file with the required information such as proof of fixed asset investment of $400,000 or more, project viability, and elements of innovation and added value.
- Include official evidence of the payroll, submitted to Revenu Québec or the Canada Border Services Agency.
3
Submission of the request
- Send your written request to the Economic Development Corporation of the MRC of Joliette before starting operations on-site.
- Use the provided contact information (info@cdej.ca or by phone at (450) 752-5566) if additional information is needed.
4
Confirmation of eligibility
Please wait for confirmation of eligibility and the additional information required for the processing of your application.
5
Decision of the investment committee
- Your request will be analyzed by the investment committee, which will decide on the acceptance or rejection of the project.
- The committee will evaluate the projects according to the criteria of the CDEJ policy.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The aid is structured as a non-repayable contribution.
- An investment committee is responsible for decision-making regarding grant approvals.
- The aid is intended to support structural businesses, emphasizing job creation and capital investment.
- Availability of funds is a condition for grant disbursement.
- Applicants must request funding before beginning operations in the eligible area.
Contact MRC de Joliette (CDÉJ)
(450) 752-5566