MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund
Last Update: April 3, 2025
QC, Canada
Financial support for tourism innovation in Matawinie
MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund at a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $2,000 to $25,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- MRC de Matawinie
Status
Open
Overview of the MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund program
The MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund provides non-repayable financial support with a maximum funding amount of $25,000, aiming to enhance and diversify the tourism offerings in the region. Eligible activities include improving service offerings, developing new tourist attractions, and creating complementary services for existing accommodations.
Financing terms and conditions
- Non-repayable contributions are available through the MRC de Matawinie as part of their financial aid, optional completion with loans from local investment funds.
- Combined financial assistance from government and MRC sources must not exceed 80% of eligible expenses.
- The financial aid for private enterprises is capped at 50% of the project's total cost.
- A minimum of 20% of the project's total costs must be self-financed by the applicant.
- Support conditions ensure that financial aid is necessary for project realization as determined by the MRC's Economic, Cultural and Social Development Commission.
- Repayment of the grant on a prorated basis is required if the loan from the MRC is repaid ahead of schedule.
- Terms for disbursement of financial aid include a formal agreement outlining conditions between the MRC and the promoter or consortium of promoters.
Eligible projects & activities
- Improvement of service offering.
- Diversification of activities for the benefit of visitors.
- Enhancement or implementation of an attraction promoting innovation.
- Addition of new complementary services to an existing accommodation offer, such as health centers or business tourism centers.
- Addition of complementary services to a camping offer, with certain percentage requirements for traveler sites.
- Development of experiential accommodation that meets specified capacity and sanitary requirements.
- Development of new tourist products or services.
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund program
- The applicant must be a private enterprise, cooperative, or a legally constituted organization, either for-profit (OBL) or non-profit (OBNL) with its principal place of business in Matawinie.
- The applicant can also be a municipality, the MRC of Matawinie, or an Indigenous organization.
- The applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Quebec aged 18 years or older.
- The applicant must have relevant experience or training pertinent to the project.
Who is eligible?
- Private enterprises with their main place of business in Matawinie.
- Cooperatives based in Matawinie.
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) located in Matawinie.
- Profit-oriented organizations (PBOs) situated in Matawinie.
- Municipalities within the MRC de Matawinie.
- Indigenous organizations from Matawinie.
Who is not eligible
- Companies involved in real estate development projects.
- Businesses with religious, sexual, political, gambling activities.
- Drinking establishments and any enterprise potentially harmful to the MRC de Matawinie.
Eligible expenses
- Construction work (new construction, expansion, restoration, recycling, compliance with safety standards, and accessibility upgrades), including professional fees for construction plans and specifications, interior or exterior design, and concept creation (exhibitions, shows, installations).
- Interior or exterior development work.
- Purchase and installation of specialized equipment and furniture.
- Professional fees for coaching or consulting services aimed at adopting best business practices, workforce skill development, improving customer service quality, support for new project or activity development, conducting studies requiring specific expertise to enhance tourism offerings.
- Professional fees from specialized firms or consultants for conducting specific studies on tourism offering development or new activities.
- Professional consultant fees for project implementation when multiple partners are involved.
- Travel expenses, general expenses, salaries, and benefits for human resources dedicated specifically to project implementation.
Eligible geographic areas
- Enterprises located in Matawinie.
How to apply to the MRC Matawinie — Tourism Innovation and Development Fund program
1
Preparation of the request
- Develop a project idea that meets the eligibility criteria of the fund.
- Write a detailed project proposal including a clear action plan and the objectives to be achieved.
2
Gather the supporting documents
- Gather the necessary documents such as proof of skills or relevant training and evidence of the legal entity of the company (e.g., articles of incorporation).
- Provide a clear budget estimate including the initial investment and eligible expenses.
3
Presentation of an official request for financial assistance
- Go to Développement Matawinie to officially submit the application.
- Include all supporting documents in the application submission.
4
Signing of a memorandum of understanding
- If the project is accepted, sign a memorandum of understanding with the MRC of Matawinie, outlining the terms of the financial assistance disbursement.
- Respect the obligations defined in the protocol throughout the project.
Additional information
- The cumulative financial aid from government and the MRC cannot exceed 80% of eligible project expenses.
- Financial support granted to a private enterprise may not surpass 50% of the total cost of the supported project.
- A new financial aid application can be submitted once the project is completed and all terms of the protocol have been fulfilled.
- Projects must demonstrate the necessity of financial aid for completion to the satisfaction of the Economic, Cultural, and Social Development Commission of the MRC de Matawinie.
- Subsidies for for-profit or social economy enterprises are conditional on obtaining a loan from the MRC.
- If the MRC loan is repaid early, the subsidy must be reimbursed on a pro-rata basis for the incomplete term of the loan.
- Projects must not result in unfair competition, such as causing job losses in existing businesses.
- A protocol of agreement between the MRC de Matawinie and the entrepreneur(s) will stipulate the terms of financial aid disbursement and obligations of all parties.