PEI — Business Development Program

Who is eligible?

Yes. The Business Development Program has specific types of eligible companies that can apply for funding:

• Agricultural producers
• Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
• Agri-processors
• Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
• Municipal and provincial government

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant. These can include:

• Non-profit organizations
• Government entities

Eligible expenses

The Business Development Program covers a range of eligible expenses aimed at enhancing the capacity of agricultural producers and businesses in PEI.

• Skills training
• Business planning
• Organizational development
• Benchmarking activities
• Risk management activities
• Market expansion initiatives

• Step 1: Obtain the Application Form and Appendices
• Visit the PEI Department of Agriculture's website or contact them via email or phone to get the Business Development Program General Application Form and the required appendices relevant to the sub-program you're applying for.
• Step 2: Collect Applicant Information
• Prepare your contact information, including business or organization details, CRA registration number, and partnership information if applicable.
• Step 3: Define the Project
• Specify the project start and end date.
• Step 4: Identify Additional Funding Sources
• List any other sources of funding that will be used for the project.
• Step 5: Classify Recipient and Industry Type
• Identify the recipient type (primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor) and the type of industry (dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds).
• Step 6: Provide Declaration and Consent
• Sign the application form to declare and give consent for personal information.
• Step 7: Submit Demographic Information (optional)
• Provide optional demographic information if desired.
• Step 8: Complete Relevant Appendices
• Complete respective appendices according to the sub-program you're applying for, for example:
• Appendix A: Training Sub-Program (Agri-Skills Individual Training)
• Appendix B: Group Training, Organizational Development, Benchmarking, Business Planning
• Step 9: Submit the Application
• Send the completed application form along with the required appendices to the PEI Department of Agriculture at the given address or via the provided contact details.

It is important for grant applicants to know about potential administrative and compliance obligations.

• Applicants may be required to demonstrate financial stability through audited financial statements.
• There could be specific language requirements for documentation and reports, especially if the grant is federally managed and covers bilingual regions.
• Partnership or collaboration with other organizations might be encouraged to enhance project scope and impact.
• Applicants may need to outline sustainability measures to ensure project continuity beyond the grant term.