How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $250000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS)?

MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) is funded by MRC de Sept-Rivières

What are MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS)'s eligibility criterias?

Legally constituted for-profit business under Quebec or Canadian law Head office located in Quebec and operating in the Sept-Rivières MRC Registered with the Registre des entreprises du Québec (REQ)

MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS)

Last Update: June 11, 2025

QC, Canada

Financial support for business development in Sept-Rivières region

MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $250,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

MRC de Sept-Rivières

Status

Open

Overview of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) program

The MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) program provides up to $250,000 in funding to support the start-up, growth, acquisition, and development of businesses and social economy enterprises in the region. Eligible activities include business start-ups, entrepreneurial succession, business acquisitions, productivity improvements, and expansion projects.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum investment from FLS in a single business or group: $100,000.
FLI maximum investment: up to 50% of eligible project costs (80% for social economy enterprises); maximum of $150,000 per beneficiary in a 12-month period; total outstanding FLI balance per business may not exceed $300,000.
Additional funding caps based on project phase and job creation/maintenance, e.g., up to $50,000 for start-up (with increases based on number of jobs created), and up to $250,000 for expansion, acquisition, or succession (with increases based on jobs created or maintained).
For cumulative government financial aid (when FLI is involved): total direct and indirect public funding may not exceed 50% of the total project cost (80% for social economy enterprises).

Eligible projects & activities

Business startup and launch initiatives.
Business transfer and succession projects.
Acquisition of existing businesses.
Business improvement and modernization, including digital transformation and productivity enhancements.
Business growth and expansion projects, such as the introduction of new products, services, or market development.
Temporary financial support for businesses awaiting confirmed sources of revenue (short-term bridge financing).
Business restructuring and turnaround efforts aimed at restoring operational and financial stability.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) program

The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit company under Quebec or Canadian law, or a collective enterprise (cooperative or non-profit with commercial activities) as defined by the Quebec Social Economy Act.
The business must operate within the territory of the MRC Sept-Rivières and have its head office located in Quebec.
The business must be registered with the Quebec Business Register (REQ).
The project must involve the commercialization or expansion of business activities (pre-startup projects are not eligible).
The project must align with the local economic development priorities set by the MRC.

Who is eligible?

For-profit businesses legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law
Collective enterprises such as cooperatives
Non-profit organizations (NPOs) with commercial activities, qualifying as social economy enterprises

Who is not eligible

Companies listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including any subcontractors used for the project that are also listed.
Businesses that have defaulted on previous financial aid obligations to the government or regional county municipality within the past two years.
State-owned enterprises or companies directly or indirectly controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal), or those majority-owned by a state-owned company.
Companies under bankruptcy protection or insolvency proceedings (such as those under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act).
Businesses whose main activities include production or distribution of armaments, fossil fuel extraction (except those aiming for a low-carbon transition), gambling, violent games or combat sports involving live beings, sexual exploitation, real estate management and development (with limited exceptions), production or sale of tobacco or drugs (with some specific exceptions for medical or industrial cannabis/hemp).

Eligible expenses

Additional working capital required specifically for the execution of the project (for up to two years, based on justified and reasonable expenses).
Capital expenditures strictly and directly related to the implementation of the project, such as purchase of technology, land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and vehicles.
Construction, expansion, renovation, and improvement of land and premises directly linked to the project.
Professional fees incurred prior to project execution, such as feasibility analyses, external audits, or impact studies, when directly related to the project.
Professional fees strictly and directly linked to the project’s implementation, such as the integration of technology, equipment, and machinery, or costs related to acquisition, construction, renovation, and improvement of facilities.
For business succession projects: acquisition costs for ownership titles (voting shares or units) and company assets.
Professional fees directly linked to the transaction, acquisition, or transfer of company management and ownership.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies operating within the territory of the MRC de Sept-Rivières, Quebec.
Companies with their head office located in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) program

Economic viability of the funded business, including profitability, repayment capacity, and future prospects.
Knowledge and experience of the project promoters, including relevant sector and management skills.
Societal and environmental benefits generated by the business project.
Openness toward employees and quality of labor relations.
Participation of other financial partners or sources of capital in the project.

How to apply to the MRC Sept-Rivières — Local funds (FLI/FLS) program

Confirm business eligibility

Identify and confirm your business’s eligibility based on location, legal status (for-profit, cooperative, or NPO with market activities), and sector alignment with MRC priorities
Ensure your business is registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register (REQ) and has its head office in Quebec

Identify eligible project type

Determine which project(s)—startup, succession, acquisition, improvement, expansion, or temporary financing—are eligible under FLI and/or FLS
Review the list of eligible and non-eligible projects to ensure your project qualifies

Gather and prepare required documents

Collect all required documents: completed application form, detailed business plan and project description, detailed expense breakdown, full project financial plan, confirmations of other funding, financial statements (last three years), interim and projected statements, compliance declarations regarding francization and equality in employment (if applicable), and any other required documents

Submit application to MRC

Submit the complete application and all supporting documents to the MRC or its designated managing body for review

Wait for funding decision

Await analysis and decision by the MRC, ensuring all information provided is accurate and complete

Additional information

No application or follow-up fees are charged for submitted projects.
The investment policy is subject to periodic modification, with changes deposited to relevant government partners.
Unpaid interest at the end of a term will accrue interest at the same rate as the original loan.
The investment committee may request policy exceptions or modifications within set management frameworks.