
MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund
Last Update: April 3, 2025
QC, Canada
Investment support for business development in Matawinie
MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $150,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
- MRC de Matawinie
Status
Open
Overview of the MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund program
The MRC Matawinie Local Investment Fund provides financial assistance of up to $150,000 to support the development of viable businesses through start-up, expansion, and entrepreneurial succession projects. Eligible activities focus on creating sustainable enterprises and fostering economic development on the territory.
Financing terms and conditions
- The financial aid can take various forms such as term loans, bond loans, participatory loans, loan guarantees, or investment in certain obligations or equity stakes, excluding subsidies or donations.
- For entrepreneurial succession projects, aid is provided as an interest-free loan with a repayment holiday for the first year.
- Any loan exceeding $25,000 must be secured with a guarantee and/or surety bond.
- All loans above $25,000 require life insurance covering the full amount of the loan.
- The investments encompass various guarantees, prioritized by rank, intended to ensure fund recovery during asset sales.
- The investment ceiling for financial aid ranges from $1,000 to $150,000, with a maximum of $150,000 for any recipient per year.
- Combined aid from Quebec, Canada, and Matawinie Development should not exceed 50% for for-profit projects or 80% for social economy projects.
- A minimum of 15% of the total project cost must be secured by the promoters, potentially higher for certain projects.
- The interest rate is determined based on the average preferential rate of Quebec's financial institutions, adjustable depending on project risk and offered guarantees.
- An amortization premium of 1% applies if the loan term exceeds 60 months.
- The interest rate may be decreased by 1% for loans secured by a first-rank mortgage on tangible assets.
- Unpaid interest at due date will incur additional interest at the existing rate.
- Exceptionally, a principal repayment moratorium may be granted for up to 12 months, extendable to 24 months for specific projects.
- A $100 non-refundable filing fee applies to each application.
- Legal and closing costs associated with the investment are the responsibility of the promoter.
- Advance repayment of loans is permitted under conditions specified in the loan agreement.
Eligible projects & activities
- Start-up projects for enterprises in operation in Quebec for less than two years, focusing on commercialization.
- Projects aiming to improve and transform existing businesses through productivity enhancements and digital transformation.
- Growth and expansion projects for enterprises operating in Quebec for at least two years, aiding their business expansion efforts.
- Entrepreneurial succession projects, where entrepreneurs or groups of entrepreneurs wish to acquire at least a 25% stake in an existing business, following a planned succession strategy.
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund program
- The business must be legally incorporated under the laws of Quebec or Canada.
- The business can be a traditional for-profit enterprise or a collective enterprise (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) in line with the Social Economy Act.
- The business must operate in the territory of the MRC Matawinie and have its head office in Quebec.
- The business must be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register (REQ).
- Social economy enterprises must self-finance more than 50% of their total revenue.
- Eligible projects include business start-up, expansion, transformation, and entrepreneurial succession.
- The existing enterprise involved in entrepreneurial succession must be located in the MRC Matawinie.
- For succession projects, an entrepreneur must acquire at least 25% of the business value.
- Projects are excluded if they are sexual, religious, political, related to gambling, or potentially harmful to the MRC of Matawinie.
Who is eligible?
- Traditional for-profit businesses legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian laws.
- Collective enterprises such as cooperatives and non-profit organizations with commercial activities that self-finance over 50% of their revenues.
- Entrepreneurs or groups of entrepreneurs aiming to acquire a significant stake in an existing business for succession planning purposes.
- Businesses in sectors aligned with the strategic development orientations of the MRC Matawinie's 2020-2025 strategic plan, such as tourism, agriculture, forestry, technology, manufacturing, industry, commerce and services, and culture.
Who is not eligible
- Companies or projects with a sexual nature.
- Companies or projects with religious or political activities.
- Businesses involved in gambling or games of chance.
- Entities whose activities could harm the MRC of Matawinie, such as matchmaking agencies, tarot, numerology, astrology, etc.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation fees, and other similar expenses excluding goodwill expenses.
- Professional fees directly related to the project's implementation, including technology, equipment, and machinery installation; acquisition, construction, renovation, and setup of land and premises, excluding research and development activities.
- Additional working capital requirements, beyond current recurring expenses, necessary for project realization for a maximum duration of two years corresponding to the project execution year and the following year based on justified and reasonable expenses.
- For the social economy consolidation component, working capital needs for the first two years.
- Acquisition costs of ownership titles of the targeted enterprise (voting shares or parts) and the assets of the targeted enterprise.
- Professional fees directly related to the transaction, acquisition of the business, and business management transfer.
Eligible geographic areas
- MRC Matawinie
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund program
- Economic viability of the funded enterprise, highlighting the project's profitability and repayment capacity.
- Knowledge and experience of the promoters in relevant fields, including management skills.
- Environmental and societal impacts, focusing on sustainable business practices.
- Openness towards employees and workplace relationship management.
- Participation of additional financial partners, with a minimum of 15% project cost funding from promoters or other financial institutions.
- Self-financing capacity to ensure the sustainability of the "FLI" fund.
- Legal compliance, requiring entrepreneurs to be free from bankruptcy discharge and legal disputes.
How to apply to the MRC Matawinie — Local investment fund program
1
Presentation of the file
- Prepare a detailed business plan.
- Include financial statements and forecasts.
- Detail the possible sources of funding for the project.
- Complete, date, and sign the financial aid application form.
2
Validation and analysis of the file
- Submit the complete file to the business advisor of the MRC.
- Wait for the MRC advisor to verify and analyze the information provided.
3
Presentation to the CDECS
- The file is presented to the Commission of Economic, Social and Cultural Development (CDECS).
- Receive the recommendation from the CDECS to the Council of Mayors of the MRC of Matawinie.
4
Formalization of the contract
- Sign a contract with the MRC Matawinie after acceptance of the request.
- Prepare the necessary legal and administrative acts surrounding the intervention of the MRC.
5
Follow-up and management of the file
- Monitor progress with the MRC after the financial assistance is granted.
- Adhere to the timeline and the agreed results for the project.
Additional information
- The policy is guided by the self-financing objectives of the local investment fund, ensuring the sustainability of the fund.
- All financing decisions are made with regard to the long-term viability and potential socio-economic impact on the territory of the MRC Matawinie.
- The policy may be subjected to modification by the MRC Matawinie, in line with the guidelines established by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE).
- The details of the financing granted, including project names and amounts, may be published for transparency purposes.
- The financial support is not meant to replace private funding, but rather to complement existing financial resources.
- For loans above $25,000, a guarantee and insurance policy covering the entire amount are mandatory.
- Legal fees associated with the investment are the responsibility of the applicant.
- A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required for processing the application.
- A moratorium on capital reimbursement may be granted, with conditions, up to a maximum period of 24 months for specific projects.
- In case of non-compliance by the borrower, all legal mechanisms will be utilized for recovery.
- The investment fund encourages entrepreneurial succession and economic retention within the region.
Apply to this program

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