MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1
Last Update: May 13, 2025
Joliette, QC
Non-repayable financial support for new businesses in Joliette
MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1 at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $7,000
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- MRC de Joliette (CDÉJ)
Status
Open
Overview of the MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1 program
The grant program provides non-repayable financial assistance up to a maximum of $7,000 to support the launch, acquisition, or succession of businesses within the MRC de Joliette territory. Eligible activities include business creation, acquisition, and succession projects in prioritized economic sectors, aiming to increase the initial funding capitalization and create full-time jobs.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant provides non-repayable financial aid to support the establishment, acquisition, or transfer of businesses within the MRC de Joliette. The disbursement modalities are contingent on the type of business project and employment creation milestones achieved.
- Non-repayable financial aid up to a maximum of $7,000.
- For startups: $3,000 for creating 1 to 5 jobs within the first 18 months.
- For startups exceeding 5 job creations within the same period, the aid may increase to a maximum of $7,000.
- Business transfers are eligible for up to $7,000 without specific job creation requirements.
- A legal agreement will outline the conditions for financial aid disbursement and obligations of both parties.
Eligible projects & activities
The MRC Joliette Business Assistance Fund — Stream 1 supports the establishment, acquisition, or business succession initiatives within the Joliette region. Eligible projects focus on new business creation, acquisition, and succession planning that stimulate local economic growth.
- Creation of a new business by an eligible entrepreneur or a business legally established and operating for less than 18 months.
- Acquisition projects that have not previously received a non-repayable contribution from the CDÉJ, with the eligible promoter holding at least 50% of the voting and participating shares.
- Business succession projects with a credible and well-defined transfer plan, without prior non-repayable CDÉJ or CLD Joliette contributions, where the eligible promoter holds at least 25% of the voting and participating shares.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 5,000
Developing a sustainable community garden initiative
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1 program
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and the nature of the business project.
- The project must be a creation of a new business by an eligible entrepreneur or a legally constituted business in operation for less than 18 months.
- If it is an acquisition project, it should not have received any non-repayable contributions from CDÉJ to date, and the eligible FAE promoter must hold at least 50% of the voting and participating shares.
- If it is a business succession project, it must have a credible and well-defined transfer plan without any previous non-repayable contributions from CDÉJ or CLD Joliette, with the eligible FAE promoter holding at least 25% of the voting and participating shares.
- The business headquarters and operational location must be situated within the MRC de Joliette territory.
- The business project must be within one of the priority sectors of activity as described in annex 1.
- The project must result in the creation of at least one permanent full-time job (30 hours per week), including that of the promoter, within 18 months of the project's initiation.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible to apply for the Volet 1 - Lancement d’entreprise grant, candidates must meet several criteria:- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Quebec.- Be over 18 years of age.- Have relevant experience and/or training for the project.- Commit to working full-time in the business (minimum of 30 hours/week).- Not be enrolled in full-time studies (up to 3 courses allowed).- Commit to investing, in cash and asset transfer, half of the financial aid requested from FAE, with at least $1,000 in cash.- Not have previously received a grant from the CDÉJ for a business start-up project.- Not have previously received non-repayable financial assistance from the Jeune Promoteur fund or the Volet 1 of the CLD Joliette's Fonds d’émergence entrepreneuriale (FÉE).Projects must also meet criteria such as being in operation for less than 18 months or have a credible and defined transfer plan if it's a business succession project. Additionally, the business headquarters and operations must be located in the MRC de Joliette, and the project must create at least one full-time permanent job within 18 months of starting.
Who is not eligible
This grant specifically targets businesses situated within certain prioritized sectors and restricts funding based on these criteria. Companies not operating within these strategic areas might be ineligible for financial assistance.
- Projects not conducted in an economic sector prioritized by the CDÉJ.
- Consultant fees and administration fees for companies where the entrepreneur has a stake.
Eligible expenses
The grant covers specific expenses related to capital investments, technology acquisition, working capital needs, and professional fees essential for the business's operations and setup.
- Capital expenses such as land, building, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock.
- Incorporation fees and other similar capital expenses, excluding goodwill-related expenses.
- Acquisition of technology, including know-how, licenses, manufacturing agreements, and patents.
- Purchasing software or software packages and other similar expenses.
- Working capital strictly necessary for the company's operations for the first two years.
- Professional fees, expert fees, and other costs incurred for consultants or specialists to carry out studies.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically targeted towards companies within the designated territory of the MRC de Joliette. Eligible locations are chosen to promote local economic development within this region.
- Businesses with their head office and operations located on the territory of the MRC de Joliette.
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1 program
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure the viability and alignment with the program's objectives.
- Viability and profitability of the project demonstrated in a comprehensive business plan, including financial forecasts for two years.
- A financial structure that respects the conditions for the contribution of funds and is likely to be realized, thereby favoring the success of the project.
- The promoter must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the CDÉJ that the financial assistance is significant to the realization of their project.
How to apply to the MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 1 program
1
Eligibility verification
- Make sure to meet all the eligibility criteria specified for the applicant.
- Confirm that your project meets the requirements for eligible projects.
2
Development of the business plan
- Write a comprehensive business plan that presents the viability and profitability of the project.
- Include financial forecasts for two years.
3
Preparation of financial documents
- Make sure that your financial arrangement complies with the down payment requirements.
- Gather the financial documents, including your personal down payment.
4
Gathering of the required documents
- Prepare all necessary documents, including those listed in the eligible expenses.
- Include any other relevant supporting documents to strengthen your application.
5
Contact with the CDÉJ
Contact the CDÉJ to clarify any questions or to get advice on submitting your application.
6
Submission of the request
- Send your completed application and all required documents by email to info@cdej.ca or by fax to (450) 752-5191.
- Make sure that the application is complete and submitted before the deadline.
Additional information
Additional relevant information for this grant includes:
- The funding is non-refundable, meaning that it is granted as a gift rather than a loan.
- A protocol agreement between the CDÉJ and the enterprise will define the conditions under which funding is provided and obligations of both parties.
- The grant is distributed based on specific conditions linked to the number of jobs created within the first 18 months of operation.
Contact MRC de Joliette (CDÉJ)
info@cdej.ca
(450) 752-5566