MRC Rimouski-Neigette — Local Investment Fund

• Completed, dated and signed application form
• Business plan or detailed project description
• Detailed project expense breakdown
• Project financing plan and confirmation of other funding
• Financial statements and forecasts

Who is eligible?

• For-profit businesses
• Cooperatives
• Non-profit organizations with economic activities
• Small and medium-sized businesses

Who is not eligible

• Businesses listed in the RENA registry
• Publicly controlled companies or state-owned enterprises
• Businesses under bankruptcy or insolvency protection
• Companies involved in weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, real estate development, tobacco or drug-related activities

Eligible expenses

• Working capital needed for the project
• Equipment, machinery, technology, and vehicle purchases
• Construction, renovation, expansion, and site or premises fitting
• Professional fees related to feasibility, audits, impact studies, implementation, acquisition, or transfer
• Purchase of shares, parts, or assets for business succession

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs incurred before the application is filed
• Debt service, future loan repayments, and capital replacement
• Research and development expenses
• Normal operating expenses and Quebec sales taxes
• Projects involving pre-startup, loan guarantees under FLS, or subprime sectors such as weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, or real estate development

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC of Rimouski-Neigette
• Businesses with head office in Quebec

• Business profitability and repayment capacity
• Promoters’ experience and management skills
• Environmental and social benefits of the project
• Open and responsible labour relations
• Presence of other financial partners and promoter equity

• Step 1: Prepare the application
  • Complete and sign the financial assistance form.
  • Prepare the business plan or detailed project description.
  • Prepare the project expense breakdown and financing plan.
  • Gather the required financial statements and forecasts.
• Step 2: Submit the file to SOPER
  • Send the complete application file with all required documents.
• Step 3: Review and decision
  • SOPER reviews the application for admissibility and analyzes the file.
  • The decision is made once the file is complete.

• Applications are reviewed, analyzed, and decided by SOPER.
• Files are processed continuously once the required information and documents are provided.
• Assessment is done while considering fairness, budget availability, and the program rules.
• If approved, financing is governed by a loan contract and the applicable terms.
• Non-compliance can lead to recovery procedures.

• The SOPER manages the review and decision process.
• Applications are processed on an ongoing basis as files are completed.
• The policy took effect on July 5, 2023.
• Modified versions must respect MEIE and Fonds locaux de solidarité FTQ frameworks.