MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 2

• Completed application form.
• Project presentation file.
• Business plan or turnaround plan.
• Financial forecasts.
• Supporting quotes or supplier estimates, when available.

Who is eligible?

• Social economy businesses.
• Non-profit organizations.
• Cooperatives.
• Community enterprises.

Who is not eligible

• Businesses outside the social economy model.
• Projects with a sexual, religious, or political character.
• Professionally regulated service businesses.
• Businesses whose revenue comes mainly from commissions.
• Businesses acting as exclusive subcontractors for one company.

Eligible expenses

• Capital expenses such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock.
• Purchase of intangible assets such as software and patents, excluding R&D.
• Strategic development or turnaround planning by a professional.
• Implementation of a turnaround plan or a communication/promotion plan.
• Working capital for start-up operations during the first 18 months.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Debt service and repayment of future loans.
• Projects already completed before the application is received.
• Expenses incurred before the official application was received.
• Projects focused only on research and development.
• Consulting fees and administration costs for a consultant in which the entrepreneur has an interest.

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC de Joliette

• Social and economic benefits in the MRC de Joliette.
• Business plan or turnaround plan with two-year financial forecasts.
• Realistic pricing and fair competition.
• Diversified financing, including owner contribution.

• Step 1: Complete the application form
  • Fill out the form for the relevant stream.
  • Prepare the project presentation file and required supporting documents.
• Step 2: Submit the application to CDÉJ
  • File the completed form and documents with the CDÉJ.
• Step 3: Eligibility review
  • A CDÉJ advisor validates the applicant, project, and business eligibility.
  • The file is confirmed as complete before committee review.
• Step 4: Committee decision
  • The investment committee reviews the project and makes a decision.
• Step 5: Agreement and funding disbursement
  • If approved, sign the funding agreement and meet the required conditions for payment.

• The application is first validated by a CDÉJ advisor for eligibility.
• Once the file is complete, it is reviewed by the investment committee.
• The committee decides whether to accept or refuse the project.
• If approved, a funding agreement is signed setting out obligations and payment conditions.
• Funding is paid after the agreement conditions are met.

• The aid is complementary to other available financing.
• A funding agreement is signed between the CDÉJ and the beneficiary.
• The assistance is paid directly to the legally constituted organization.
• Reporting and follow-up may be required under the agreement.